No congregational prayers at Srinagar's Jamia Masjid for 17th consecutive Friday
November 29, 2019 18:50
No congregational prayers were offered at Srinagar's Jamia Masjid -- the grand mosque of Kashmir -- for the 17th consecutive Friday since
the Centre announced abrogation of Article 370 provisions on August 5
this year, officials said.
Even though movement of public,
private and transport vehicles was less on Friday compared to the
previous day, shops and business establishments remained open till noon
in most parts of Kashmir Valley and in some areas in the Civil Lines
till late afternoon, they said.
While there was a semblance of
normalcy in the Kashmir valley over the past few weeks, a fresh shutdown
started on Wednesday last week as posters threatening shopkeepers and
public transport operators appeared at some places.
The mosque
in Nowhatta area in downtown Srinagar -- the old city area -- has been
closed for prayers for nearly four months, officials said.
People were barred from offering Friday prayers at the grand mosque
after the Centre's decision to abrogate the special provisions for Jammu
and Kashmir given under Article 370 of the constitution as authorities
apprehended that vested interests might exploit the large gatherings at
the mosque to fuel protests.
The officials said pre-paid mobile
phones and Internet services continued to remain suspended. Separatists
remained in preventive custody while the mainstream leaders, including
former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti have been either
detained or placed under house arrest.
The government has also
detained former chief minister and sitting Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar
Farooq Abdullah under the controversial Public Safety Act, a law enacted
by his father and National Conference founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah
in 1978 when he was the chief minister. -- PTI