SRINAGAR – Friday prayers were not allowed for the tenth successive week in historic Jamia Masjid in downtown Srinagar and some other major mosques in Kashmir valley, where life remained crippled since August 5 due to strike against scrapping of Article 370 and Article 35 A.
However, prayers were allowed in mosques in the interior areas in the valley.
Official sources said that restrictions under section 144 CrpC remained imposed in some areas in downtown and other parts of Srinagar since early today to prevent protests after Friday prayers.
However, the situation was entirely different on the ground, as all gates leading to Jamia Masjid remained closed and people were not allowed to enter the worship place. Hundreds of security forces have been deployed in and around the historic mosque to prevent assembly of people.
Roads leading to Jamia Masjid were open for vehicular and pedestrian movement. However, state forces have put barbed wires on the roadside so that the road could be closed immediately in case of any protest.
Similarly other major Masjids in different parts of the valley were also closed for devotees. But, reports of offering of Friday prayers came from smaller local mosques in the valley
