Srinagar, Aug 31 (KNS): On the day of hearing on several petitions, challenging validity of Article 35-A, unprecedented shutdown called by Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) was observed on the second consecutive day across the Valley amid restrictions in several Srinagar areas.
A complete shutdown also hit the normal life in Chenab Valley and Pir Panjal areas of Jammu province.
According to Kashmir News Service (KNS), all shops, business establishments and educational institutions are closed and traffic remained off the roads.
In wake of the shutdown, the law enforcing authorities continued to impose restrictions in Srinagar areas falling under the jurisdiction of seven police stations for the second consecutive day today.
The officials said that strict restrictions remained in force in Nowhatta, Safa Kadal, Rainawari, Khanyar and Maharaj Gunj Police Stations while as the partial restrictions were imposed in Maisuma and Kral Khud police stations.
Witnesses told Kashmir News Service (KNS) that the forces deployed in restriction bound areas had erected the temporary barricades on the roads, thus halting the vehicular as well as the pedestrian movement.
Besides, the authorities today barred people from offering congregational Friday prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid in downtown Srinagar.
Local sources said that all four gates of the historic Jamia Masjid remain locked while all the roads leading to the historic Masjid were sealed by the authorities by erecting concertina wires.
The historic Masjid witnesses a huge gathering of Nimazis on every Friday where the Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman and head cleric of Jamia Masjid deliver sermons.
The local Muslims were disallowed by the forces to offer to offer congregational prayers at the Masjid. However, the Jamia Masjid head cleric continued to remain under house detention since Thursday in view of the protests called by the Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik.
Mirwaiz in his tweet said that it was the 11th Friday of this year during which authorities barred Muslims to offer prayers at the historic Masjid, saying that these repressive measures will only strengthen their resolve.
“11th Friday’s so far this year of lockdown of #JamaMasjid by imposing curfew & restrictions barring Muslims from offering Juma prayers there! These repressive measures will only strengthen our r solve to freedom not weaken us!,” Mirwaiz tweeted with a poetry in Urdu language.
Meanwhile, the protests against the abrogation of Article 35-A were also held at Srinagar and other places.
Notably, the Supreme Court adjourned the hearing of Article 35-A till 2nd week of January, 2019.
After the adjournment of the case, the Chenab Valley called off the strike over the ‘onslaught’ on Article 35-A.
Meanwhile, railway authorities continued to suspend the train services from Baramulla-Banihal for the second consecutive day while as the University had also postponed all examinations and programs scheduled for today. (KNS)