The normal life continued to remain affected in Kashmir valley due to separatist sponsored shutdown as protests and incidents of stone-pelting were reported from several areas. The authorities allowed performance of congregational Friday prayers in historic Jamia Masjid in old Srinagar where these prayers were barred since the middle of July when massive public protests erupted in Kashmir following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen leader Burhan Wani.
Reports of protests poured in from Palhalan in north Kashmir’s Pattan area while protests erupted in Rajouri kadal area of old Srinagar after the Friday prayers.
The overall situation remained peaceful and under control with no major untoward incident reported from any part of the Valley.
Officials said there were no curbs on the movement of people anywhere in the Valley. However, the restrictions under Section 144 CrPc continued to remain in force on the assembly of people with adequate deployment of police and security personnel in all sensitive areas and along roadsides to maintain law and order.
Authorities allowed congregational prayers after 19 consecutive weeks at Kashmir’s 622-year old Jamia Masjid in old city. The last Friday prayer was held at the mosque on July 8, hours before Burhan Wani was killed by security forces in south Kashmir’s Kulgam area. The Jamia masjid is located in densely populated old Srinagar, which is highly volatile and pro-Pakistan sentiment runs deep in the population. Senior separatist leader and head priest Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who delivers weekly sermon in the mosque, was not allowed to speak to the worshipers. He was kept under house arrest at his Nigeen mansion.