Srinagar: The J&K government on Sunday sealed all roads leading to Hazratbal shrine to prevent public gathering on Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW).
The shrine which houses holy relic of Prophet Mohammad (SAW) would see thousands of Muslim men, women and children offering prayers during night and day on the birth anniversary of the Prophet (SAW).
However, this year scores of government forces erected barricades and stopped people. Only a small gathering of men and women from surrounding areas of the shrine were able to attend the religious congregation.
The move was called in the face of apprehension of protests against the abrogation of Article 370. Also, the government had imposed section 144 CrPC, preventing assembling of more than four people to prevent due to Supreme
Court verdict on Babri Masjid-Ram Mandir dispute.
The authorities also disallowed major Milad processions celebrating the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammad (SAW) in Srinagar.
Before this, all major religious functions were disallowed in Kashmir including the traditional Khoje-Digar prayers at the shrine of Hazrat Naqshband Sahib at Khojebazar area of Srinagar’s old city.
The Friday congregational prayers have also been disallowed at the historic Jama Masjid here since the Centre announced its decision to abrogate Article 370 and to bifurcate the erstwhile state into two Union territories.
Normal life remained affected across the valley for the 99th day on Sunday as public transport was off the roads markets opened only for few hours till noon, the officials said.
The weekly flea market, locally known as ‘Sunday Market’ was open as several dozens of vendors set up their stalls on the TRC Chowk-Lal Chowk road.
The officials said while most modes of public transport were off the roads, few auto-rickshaws and inter-district cabs were plying in some parts of the valley.
Pre-paid mobile phones and all Internet services continued to remain suspended since 5 August.
Most of the top level and second rung separatist politicians have been taken into preventive custody while mainstream leaders including two former chief ministers — Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti — have been either
detained or placed under house arrest.
The government has detained former chief minister and sitting Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar Farooq Abdullah under the controversial Public Safety act. With PTI

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