The Srinagar administration imposed curbs in parts of Downtown while as Friday congregational prayers were disallowed at Jamia Masjid, a day ahead of the Martyrs Day on July 13.
Amid heavy deployment of security forces, restrictionsremained in force in Nowhatta and its adjoining areas. Security forces werealso deployed in large numbers outside the Jamia Masjid and no one was allowedto proceed towards the grand masjid.
The Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, whodelivers Friday sermon at Jamia Masjid, was placed under house detention.
The curbs, according to an official, were imposed as aprecautionary measure to maintain peace. The Awami Action Committee hadconvened a workers’ meet at Mirwaiz Manzil Rajouri Kadal. Mirwaiz was scheduledto chair the meeting.
A joint statement issued by Hurriyat Conference (M) and AACsaid that barring people from offering congregational Friday prayers at JamiaMasjid and putting curbs in and around Downtown was “extremely unfortunate andinterference in religious obligations of people”.
The AAC and the Hurriyat also castigated the authorities’decision to put Mirwaiz under house arrest. “Mirwaiz was supposed to chair themeeting of AAC and Hurriyat at Mirwaiz Manzil regarding the March to Martyr’sgraveyard at Naqashband Sahib (RA) shrine, Khawaja Bazar on July 13 (Saturday)to pay tributes to martyrs of July 13, 1931. But due to his house arrest hecould not reach there. APHC condemned the move,” the joint statement said.
Meanwhile, AAC recalled sacrifices of the Martyrs of July13, 1931 and paid tributes to them. “The martyrs were the first to raise theirvoice in J&K against oppressive autocratic rule who sacrificed their lifefighting it. Since then people of Kashmir are involved in a struggle forrealization of their will and aspirations,” the statement said. “People ofKashmir want their sentiment should be addressed and a peaceful and lastingresolution of Kashmir issue should be found. That will be the best tribute to themartyrs.”