Muted Eid Celebrations In Kashmir As Severe Restrictions Return

Tough restrictions back as the government said sporadic clashes took place in Srinagar after protection was once eased on Saturday.
SRINAGAR: Streets in Jammu and Kashmir have been abandoned on Monday as Eid-al-Adha celebrations took region beneath extreme protection restrictions, specifically in Srinagar. Eid prayers have now not been allowed in most mosques in Srinagar, the place curfew-like curbs have been re-imposed on Sunday amid worry of violence.
Eid prayers have been held in smaller mosques in neighbourhoods, in accordance to photographs shared by the government.
Politicians such as former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, who have been under arrest when you consider that final week, would be allowed to provide prayers in close by mosques, officers said.
Tough restrictions lower back as the government stated sporadic clashes took area in Srinagar after safety was once eased on Saturday.
Large parts of the state have been beneath a security lockdown due to the fact that final week, when the government scrapped exceptional repute to Jammu and Kashmir and determined to split the nation into two union territories.
People in Srinagar had come out in giant numbers to shop for Eid on Sunday before the restrictions had been back. “People are coming out and purchasing for Eid. A giant quantity of human beings got here out today. Wherever there had been restrictions, they have been relaxed. We’re attempting to facilitate people who want to tour to Srinagar to meet their pricey ones,” stated Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary, Planning Commission, on Sunday.
Arrangements had been being made to facilitate transport for people, he added.
Later in the day, sources stated police cars have been considered making announcements on loudspeakers asking people to return to their homes, and shopkeepers were informed to shut down.
Thousands of protection personnel remain in the Kashmir Valley and telephone and web services have still not been restored.
In Srinagar, a handful of markets have been set up for Eid festivities and cellular trucks are being supplied for door to door shipping of vegetables, LPG cylinders, fowl and eggs, the Press Trust of India quoted officials as saying. Special telephone booths had been additionally being installed to assist people speak with their relatives.
Last Friday, people have been allowed to go to neighbourhood mosques and offer prayers there. However, massive gatherings have been no longer allowed in any section of the Valley.
On Saturday, a Home Ministry spokesperson said there had been “stray protests” in Srinagar and Baramulla, none of which worried a crowd of greater than 20 people.
The Home Ministry has brushed aside media reports about a protest by means of some 10,000 human beings in Kashmir valley as “fabricated and incorrect”.
Rubbishing reports of “huge protests” in the Valley, police chief Dilbagh Singh stated there has been no untoward incident “barring minor stone-pelting which used to be dealt with on the spot”.
The authorities said people ought to now not accept as true with in rumours about alleged incidents of firing in Kashmir valley.
Omar Abdullah’s National Conference has appealed in the Supreme Court in opposition to the government’s decision. In its petition – filed via birthday party MPs Akbar Lone and Hasnain Masoodi – the party claimed the centre’s pass was “illegal”.