Srinagar/ Baramulla: No congregational prayers were held at the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar on Friday due to the coronavirus scare as well as at mosques affiliated to the Jamiat-e-Ahlihadith and All J&K Shia Association, both of which had decided to suspend Friday prayers. At mosques where prayers were held, there was thin attendance and the prayers as well as sermons were cut short, with Imams appealing to people to go home and not to venture outside unnecessarily. Imams appealed to people to follow the guidelines in the holy Quran and also follow the advisories of the government.
Restrictions remained in force for the second day in Srinagar city as well as in other districts of Kashmir as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of coronavirus. Restrictions under Sec 144 CrPC were imposed in several areas of old city under the police stations of Rainawari, Khanyar, Safa Kadal, Nowhatta and MR Gunj.
Commercial hub Lal Chowk also wore a deserted look as shops and business establishment remained closed and no vendors were allowed on the roads. At Regal Chowk, a police van appealed to people to stay indoors as Section 144, which prevents assembly of more than four persons, had been imposed. The announcer said that action would follow against violation of the prohibitory orders.
Police and paramilitary CRPF in anti-riot gear were deployed at many places in the old city from the morning. Concertina wires were laid across roads at several places to prevent movement of both pedestrians and vehicles. Government forces had installed road blocks at several routes.
Shops and private business establishments stayed closed, including markets at Nalahmaar, Gada Kocha, Gada Bazar, Zaina Kadal, Saraf Kadal, Malaratha, Bohri Kadal, and Nowhatta.
Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said that emergency and essential services including hospitals, power, water, fire and emergency services, waste disposal, sanitation, ambulances, etc, will be allowed to function during the restrictions.
All schools and colleges across the valley were closed by the government last week while public transport and train services were suspended on Wednesday. Private vehicles, however, were seen moving about as usual.
In north Kashmir’s four districts, where assembly of people was banned under section 144, normal life remained affected. Public transport was almost off the roads while shopkeepers did not open their shops. In the morning, shopkeepers at some places opened their shops, but later they, too, closed their shops and stayed indoors.
In several markets and towns, the administration had stuck posters asking people to stay at their homes. Police in several areas installed razor wire to stop transport and other public movement. Buses and mini-buses were completely off the roads while thin movement of cabs and other private vehicles was seen on roads.
A complete lockdown was witnessed in main market Kupwara and Handwara town. On Thursday, the deputy commissioner Kupwara, who is also district magistrate, announced imposition of Section 144 and appealed to people not to venture outside.
Similarly, in Bandipora district, markets remain closed while public transport was completely off the roads. Government forces were on some main roads to stop public movement.
The district administrations warned all those spreading fake news about the coronavirus. They appealed to people to follow the advisories and guidelines issued by the district magistrates and not spread any fake/false news regarding it. (With inputs from Mushtaq Ahmad)

NAZIMA SIDIQ