Residents of Jammu and Kashmir will perform Eid namaz, but only in their local masjids on the occasion of Eid al-Adha on Monday. Security sources said restrictions have been reimposed in the Valley after partially lifting them for Eid shopping on Sunday morning. The restrictions will now continue through the festival to avoid any untoward incident and law and order problems.
There are intelligence reports of Pakistan-sponsored outfits like the Jaish-e-Mohammad planning to carry out terror activities in the Valley. There is also concern over flare up of sporadic protests in parts of Jammu and Kashmir, especially in and around Srinagar, which may lead to law and order problems.
The local administration and police had imposed restrictions soon after the government's announcement of abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the state into Union territories of J&K and Ladakh, on August 5.
There are reports coming from the ground of government clampdown once again in Srinagar on Sunday after the curfew was lifted before Eid, allowing people to roam the streets.
Responding to such reports, security sources in the Valley claimed, “Curfew is not being reimposed, rather the restrictions are continuing and only minor local-level relaxation was given on Sunday morning.”
“Restrictions were always there. They were only relaxed a little in the morning (on Sunday) at the local level for Eid shopping. We have only announced end of relaxation,” said a top official.
Officials said, on Monday as people will step out for prayers in mosques, Eid namaz will only be allowed locally. Last Friday, people were allowed to visit neighborhood mosques and offer prayers there. However, large gatherings were not allowed in any part of the Valley.
Intelligence inputs that the outfits like the JeM are planning terror attacks in the Valley have kept the security forces on their toes.
The intelligence agencies have passed on these inputs to the forces on the ground who are taking all precautions to tackle all terror threats and also prevent inimical elements from trying to stoke unrest in the valley.
On Saturday and Sunday, with the administration relaxing the restrictions, hundreds of men and women were seen thronging the streets to buy essential items for the Eid celebration.
On Sunday, banks, ATMs and quite a few markets remained open and restrictions were eased allowing people to come out to shop, though the usual hustle and bustle of the Eid festival was missing in the Valley.
Officials said six 'mandies' and markets have been established in Srinagar city while 2.5 lakh sheep have been made available for public for sacrifice on Eid on Monday. They said the authorities have also deployed mobile vans for door to door delivery of vegetables, LPG cylinders, poultry and eggs.
The restrictions were imposed on August 5 when Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the central government has decided abrogation of special status given to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and creation of two new UTs—Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh—after bifurcating the state.
With inputs from agencies
