Srinagar: No Friday prayers were allowed in the historic Jamia Masjid in downtown Srinagar, where curfew-like restrictions have been imposed in view of call by separatists to hold demonstrations after prayers against US decision to declare Jerusalem as capital of Israel.
However, thousands of people thronged from across the valley to Hazratbal shrine, which houses the holy Relic of Prophet Muhammad, on the bank of Dal Lake, on Friday following Eid-Milad-un-Nabi.
Police said that restrictions under Section 144 CrPC have been imposed in some areas of the down town and SeK as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order.
All the roads leading to Jamia Masjid, where chairman of moderate HC Mirwaiz Moulvi Umar Farooq, who was placed under house arrest yesterday, addresses congregation every Friday, remained closed with barbed wire.
Both the factions of Hurriyat Conference (HC) and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) had urged people to hold protests after Friday prayers against Trump administration’s decision to declare Jerusalem as capital of Israel.
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, alleging that nobody was allowed to enter the area.
But, prayers were offered in the Valley, barring in mosques on main roads in the areas where restrictions were imposed.
Thousands of people offered prayers at Hazratbal, where people had the glimpse of Holy Relic of Prophet Muhammad after every prayers since this morning. The process will continue after every prayers today.
