KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
The Kashmir Uprising entered fourth month on Friday and yet government disallowed mandatory congregational Friday prayers in Jamia Masjid Srinagar.
Police have imposed curfew in several police stations in Srinagar and huge deployment of police and CRPF has been made across Srinagar and other parts of Valley in view of march to UN office at Sonwar here.
In its latest calendar, the pro-freedom leaders have asked people to march towards UNMOGIP office to submit a memorandum. However, severe restrictions have been imposed to thwart any such march.
In Nowhatta, where the historic Jamia Masjid is located, residents said that they are not being allowed to move out of their homes. It was on July 08 – when popular militant commander, Burhan Wani, was killed by forces in Bemdoora area of South Kashmir’s Islamabad district – that the mandatory congregational Friday prayers were held in Jamia Masjid last time. Since then, police and CRPF men seal all entries to Jamia Masjid on Friday.
Since 2008, when public uprisings were triggered in Kashmir, subsequent governments have been closing Jamia Masjid on Fridays “in view of law and order situation”.
The J&K Government, second time in last 91 days, disallowed mandatory congregational Friday prayers in a Jamia Masjid near UNMOGIP office at Sonwar. The authorities apprehend that people might take out march towards the office of the mission post Friday prayers.
The death of Burhan Wani triggered massive public uprising and since July 09, 2016, at least 93 civilians have been killed and over 15000 others have been injured while over 7000 persons have been jailed many of whom were released on bails.
“We offer Friday prayers in local and smaller Masjids in view of ban on mandatory congregational Friday prayers in Jamia Masjid Srinagar,” Nowhatta resident said.
