Srinagar, May 11: No Friday prayers were allowed in the historic Jamia Masjid in downtown Srinagar, where curfew-like restrictions were imposed to maintain any law and order following call for peaceful protests by separatists against the civilian killings in security force action in Kashmir valley.
Police said restrictions under Section 144 CrPC have been imposed in the areas falling under five stations of M R Gunj, Khanyar, Safa Kadal, Rainwari and Nowhatta since Friday morning to maintain law and order.
Separatist leaders comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik, had asked people to hold peaceful protests after Friday prayers against the civilian killings.
All roads leading to Jamia Masjid remained closed and the main gates of the historic mosque, where the Mirwaiz addresses Friday congregation every week, were locked. Mirwaiz was placed under house arrest as a precautionary measure on Friday morning.
A large number of security forces and state police personnel remained deployed outside the Masjid and adjoining areas to stop any movement on the roads.
“There was also no ‘Azaan’ (call for prayers) in the historic Masjid today,” local residents said, adding that nobody was allowed to enter the area.
However, prayers were offered in the Valley, barring mosques on main roads in the areas where restrictions were imposed. People offered prayers in mosques in the interior areas in restricted areas.
Friday prayers were offered at Hazratbal shrine, which houses the holy Relic of Prophet Muhammad, on the bank of Dal Lake. Reports of offering of Friday prayers were also received from other parts of the valley.
Six youth were killed and about 30 others received bullet and pellet injuries in security force action in Shopian on demonstrators who hit the streets after five militants of HM, including a top commander and Assistant Professor of Kashmir University (KU) turned militant, were killed in an encounter on Sunday. UNI
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