By Mir Umar, Agence India Press
Srinagar: No Friday prayers was offered in the historic Jamia Masjid and other mosques located on main roads in the curfew bound areas in the Srinagar and rest of Kashmir.
Owing to restrictions, no prayers could be offered at a number of Masjids in curfewed areas including the Srinagar’s historic Jamia Masjid.
However, widespread protests erupted after Friday prayers with people defying restrictions and staging protest demonstrations at Hyderpora and Barzulla the civil-lines area of summer capital.
Residents of Nowhatta told Agence India Press over on phone, that all the roads leading to Jamia Masjid were sealed. Police and paramilitary CRPF troopers asked people to stay away from Masjid.
“The CRPF men didn’t allow us to come out of our homes. They told us that the Masjids will remain closed today,” they said.
However police denied the allegations.
While talking to Superintendent of Police (North) Showkat Hussain told Agence India Press that, none of any CRPF personnel has been deployed in Jamia Masjid, there is only J&K Armed force and local police deployed in the Jamia Masjid.
After every 100 meters, police and CRPF men had erected barricades and laid spools of razor wire to block the roads.
The roads leading to Batamaloo, where Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Geelani had asked people to assemble, were sealed by barricades. Additional police and paramilitary was deployed around the area.
Curfew also had an impact on the tourist areas like Dalgate, and Boulevard Road, which were deserted. The shops and restaurants along the Boulevard remained closed. Even the tourist spots like Zabarwan Park, Nishat and Shalimar gardens were closed during the day.