SRINAGAR: The Eid-ul-Azha passed off peacefully, incident-free, and without any gathering anywhere, at least in the capital city. Deserts remained deserted as massive deployments were made overnight.
No major Eid prayer gathering was reported anywhere from Srinagar. People preferred having quick prayers in the small Mohalla masques in which quite a few people were permitted. Most of the Eid prayers took place quite early, starting 6:30 am.
Authorities had ensured special deployments on almost all the business streets and the major mosques across Srinagar. The drop gates had emerged on almost all the roads in Srinagar with CRPF manning these obstructions. Concertina wires and barricades were placed at many intersections in the city to prevent the free movement of people.
Srinagar administration had already announced that they would not be permitting the movement. In certain areas, it was looking like a curfew.
Though the incidence of animal scarifies was hugely low, those who made sacrifices adopted the set protocol and distributed it within the localities they live. In certain uptown areas, the movement was slightly better in the afternoon.
Earlier during the day, the cops made public announcements asking residents to avoid congregations owing to the looming pandemic threat.
This is the third Eid since 2019 that Kashmir “celebrated’ in a restrictive atmosphere. Last year it came after August 5, intervention by the parliament. The first Eid after the month-long fasting came at the peak of Covid-19 fears, a situation that still exists. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir is heading towards the first anniversary of the August 5 decision-making that devoured the state’s special status and the status of a state.
