Srinagar, Nov 22 (KNS): Amid prevailing uncertainty, complete shutdown was witnessed across Srinagar on Friday with no Friday congregational prayers allowed at historic Jamia Masjid in old city for the 16th consecutive week
Most shops and other business establishments in Srinagar were closed on Friday, while public transport was off the roads. Fewer private vehicles than usual were seen plying in various parts of the city. Main markets in the city were shut and shops did not open even for a few hours in the morning as they had been doing for the last several weeks, reports said.
On Wednesday, posters appeared in several areas of the city warning shopkeepers against opening their shutters and public transport operators from plying their vehicles, officials said. This ended a brief semblance of normalcy which had returned across Kashmir in the previous days after more than three months of spontaneous shutdown.
No Friday congregational prayers were allowed at Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta for the 16th consecutive week. Since August 5 when the Centre abrogated special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and bifurcated the erstwhile state into two union territories, Friday prayers have been barred at Jamia Masjid.
Reports said barricades were erected around the roads leading to Jamia Masjid and people were not allowed to proceed towards the Masjid. There was huge deployment of forces in the area. Locals told KNS that concertina wires were laid on the roads and lanes in the area and people were asked not to venture out of their homes.
Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who delivers Friday sermon at Jamia Masjid continues to remain under house detention at his Nigeen residence.
A police official told KNS that authorities fear that vested interests might exploit large gatherings at Jamia Masjid to fuel protests due to which congregational prayers are not allowed.
Meanwhile, pre-paid mobile phones, SMS and all Internet services continued to remain suspended across the Valley since August 5. Most top level and second rung separatist politicians are in preventive custody while mainstream leaders, including three former chief ministers, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, have been either detained or placed under house arrest. (KNS)