Restrictions imposed on large gatherings in sensitive areas
AGENCIES / SRINAGAR
Eid prayers were concluded peacefully today in all parts of Jammu and Kashmir, according to government. An official release said, people gathered in large numbers at local mosques to offer prayers and greet each other.
There were large prayer congregations at many places including Bandipora, Baramulla, Kupwara, Trehgam, Sopore, Kulgam and Pulwama.
In Srinagar, however, reasonable restrictions were imposed on large gatherings in sensitive areas keeping in view the possibility of terrorists trying to disturb public order and peace. There were also large gatherings in masques in the Jammu region.
There were some minor protests and isolated incidents of stone-pelting in a few places. Police handled these locally and dispersed the protesters.
Restrictions imposed in Jammu and Kashmir last week were eased from Saturday onwards in a calibrated manner.
Though restrictions on connectivity still continue, people are being facilitated to contact their relatives and children outside the state.
A large number of helplines have been set up at convenient locations such as the District Commissioner’s office, Police stations and Police posts. Thousands of calls are being made every day from these places. Over 5000 calls were made in one day from Srinagar itself. Over 300 public points for phone connectivity are functional across the Kashmir division.
Media is being facilitated through a media centre set up by the state government.
Sharing visuals of people distributing sweets after namaz, Union Home Ministry spokesperson Vasudha Gupta tweeted: “Eid prayers offered peacefully in all local mosques of Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam, Bandipore, without any untoward incident. Jamia Masjid old town Baramulla witnessed approx 10,000 people offering prayers”.
Large parts of the state have been under a security lockdown since last week, when the government scrapped special status to Jammu and Kashmir and decided to split the state into two union territories.
The restrictions, eased on Saturday to facilitate Eid shopping, returned on Sunday as the government said sporadic clashes took place in Srinagar. The government said “reasonable restrictions” were imposed on large gatherings in sensitive areas of the city.
The residents of Srinagar had come out in large numbers to shop for Eid on Sunday morning. Later in the day, sources said police vehicles were seen making announcements on loudspeakers asking people to return to their homes, and shopkeepers were told to shut down.
The government said despite restrictions, arrangements were made for smooth Eid festivities. In Srinagar, mobile vans were provided for door-to-door delivery of vegetables, LPG cylinders, poultry and eggs. Special telephone booths were also being established to help people communicate with their relatives.
“Over 2.5 lakh sacrificial animals were arranged by administration, mandis were set up in eight places, treasuries and banks were kept open, over Rs. 500 crore was released in two-three days, including wages of employees and others. Restrictions were eased on Sunday, we saw traffic at many places,” said Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary, Planning Commission.
In a statement, the Union home ministry said restrictions have been completely lifted in 5 districts of Jammu and limited to the night in 5 districts of Jammu. “Similar local relaxation was done in the 9 other districts of Kashmir based on local assessment of the situation,” a statement read.
The removal and tightening of restrictions is a local exercise by the police and district administration based on their assessment of the need to maintain public order and peace. As and when situation demands, the easing is happening across the state, the government said.
Thousands of security personnel remain in the Kashmir Valley and phone and internet services have still not been restored.
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), which is posted across the state, said it distributed sweets at Eidgah. “As sweets and smiles are directly related to festivals, CRPF Jammu distribute both at Eidgah Jammu on this Eid-al-Adha. Eid Mubarak to you all,” CRPF officer M Dhinakaran tweeted.