Srinagar: The Friday congregational prayers were not allowed at the historic Jamia Masjid in old city here as strict restrictions were put in place in view of the Republic Day.
Authorities had put restrictions in various parts of downtown to prevent protests called by the joint resistance leadership (JRL).
Reports said heavy deployment of forces was put in Nowhatta and adjoining areas in the morning. Barbed wires were laid on main roads which blocked the way to Jamia Masjid. Restrictions were also imposed in adjoining Rajouri Kadal, Bhori Kadal, Malarrata, Saraf Kadal areas.
Locals said forces did not allow civilian movement in these areas.
An official of the district administration said restrictions under section 144 of the CrPC were imposed in old city areas.
To prevent the chairman of his faction of Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from delivering weekly sermon at Jamia Masjid, authorities placed him under house arrest on Thursday evening. The conglomerate has condemned the continuous house arrest of Mirwaiz and closure of Jamia Masjid for Friday prayers.
Mirwaiz condemned the disallowing of Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid.
“Once again no prayers allowed in barricaded and garrisoned downtown including at the #JamaMasjid ,while all channels of communication remain blocked and leadership put under forced detention by the ‘republican state’”,” Mirwaiz tweeted.
