Srinagar: Authorities barred prayers for second consecutive Friday at historic Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta where curfew-like restrictions were clamped along with other old city areas under jurisdiction of four other police stations.
Hurriyat Conference headed by Mirwai Umarv Farooq strongly denounced what it called the undemocratic and anti-Muslim decision of government to once again lockdown the central Jamia Masjid Srinagar.
A spokesman of the Hurriyat Conference also condemned “caging” of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq at his residence and barring him from offering Friday prayers and delivering the Friday sermon at the Jamia Masjid.
“Once again strict curfew was imposed in downtown Srinagar, turning the entire area into a military fortress by deploying police and paramilitary forces in huge numbers and causing distress to the residents of the area, who were also barred from offering obligatory Friday prayers,” the spokesman said.
He said it was the “fear of the resolve and courage of the people and leadership of Kashmir” that authorities repeatedly resort to such “repressive and cowardly” measures under the bogey of ‘maintaining Law and order’.
He said that repeatedly closing down educational institution for fear of student agitation, when last year huge concern was shown for their education, also exposes the “hypocrisy and double-speak” of the authorities.
The Hurriyat Conference also condemned the use of force on the people of Mattan Anatnag and vandalizing their homes and property. The amalgam called it “shameful.”
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