Protests erupt in Kashmir after Eid-ul-Azha prayers

Ishfaq Tantry

Tribune News Services

Srinagar, September 25

Clashes and protests erupted in Kashmir today after the Eid congregational prayers even as the Mufti-led PDP-BJP government this morning snapped all internet services across the state for two days.

Stone-throwing and protests were witnessed in Srinagar and south Kashmir’s Anantnag district soon after the congregational prayers, where people at many places also sacrificed bovine animals in full public gaze in defiance of the beef ban orders.

Apprehending trouble amid the beef ban controversy, the authorities in J&K have detained all separatist leaders, including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik.

Fearing “misuse” of the social media and to prevent “miscreants” from uploading “objectionable” videos, the J&K Government today also blocked internet services across the state for two days.

In Srinagar, the largest Eid-ul-Azha congregational prayers were held today at Eidgah groundsand the Hazratbal shrine in the Dargah area, where thousands of Muslims assembled for the Eid prayers. However, as soon as the Eid prayers were over at Eidgah, protesters took to the streets, raising slogans and waving Pakistani and Lashkar flags.

Besides, some protesters also indulged in bovine sacrifice in Eidgah, Nowhatta and the Hyderpora area of Srinagar, witnesses said.

Moderate Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz was scheduled to lead prayers at Eidgah, but he was put under detention at his Nigeen residence since Thursday evening.

He, however, addressed the gathering at Eidgah over phone. Condemning the beef ban orders of the High Court, he stated that “there was no room for any anti-Muslim law in the Muslim-majority Jammu & Kashmir”.

On the occasion, Mirwaiz also reiterated a recent resolution passed by a meeting of Kashmir-based religious heads and scholars, which declares that the recent ban on beef by the court was against the Islamic codes and a direct intervention in the religious affairs of Muslims. The Ulema had also asked the people to sacrifice bovine animals to protest the ban.

Hardline Hurriyat chief Syed Ali Geelani, who in his appeals had urged people not to hurt the sentiments of other communities while sacrificing animals on Eid, continues to be under house arrest at his Hyderpora residence, while the authorities had also detained other separatist leaders, including Yasin Malik, Shabbir Shah, Nayeem Khan and Asiya Andrabi, ahead of Eid.

Protests and stone-throwing was also witnessed in south Kashmir at many places after Eid prayers on Friday. Clashes erupted at Anantnag in south Kashmir after Eid prayers, where protesters also sacrificed bovine animals in full public gaze at least at two places, witnesses said. However, Eid passed off peacefully in the neighbouring Bijbihara town.

Confirming the protests after Eid prayers in Kashmir, a police official said clashes erupted at many places in Srinagar, Anantnag and Sopore in north Kashmir.

While sources said nearly dozen people, including policemen, were injured on Friday in clashes at many places across the Valley, including Srinagar, the police said the situation by and large remained peaceful across Kashmir. “The situation was normal except some ding-dong battles for some time at Eidgah in Srinagar and Anantnag town,” said Inspector General Police, Kashmir, Syed Javaid Mujtaba Gilani. He denied reports of the injuries.

Apprehending trouble, the authorities had also cancelled the leave of all SHOs and senior police officers across the state. The internet services in both Jammu and Kashmir provinces of the state were snapped today around 5 am and the gag orders would continue till 10 pm on Saturday.

Mirwaiz condemns beef ban

Moderate Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz  Umar Farooq on Friday addressed the gathering at Eidgah in Srinagar over phone. Condemning the beef ban orders of the High Court, Mirwaiz said: “There is no room for any anti-Muslim law in the Muslim-majority Jammu & Kashmir.” Mirwaiz was scheduled to lead prayers at Eidgah, but was put under detention at his Nigeen residence on Thursday evening.

Mufti offers Eid prayers at Syed Sahib 

Srinagar: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today offered Eid prayers at the Syed Sahib, Sonwar, here on Friday. After offering namaaz, Mufti greeted people on Eid. He also extended good wishes to them and prayed for peace, prosperity and progress of the state. Later, a large number of people visited the Chief Minister’s residence here to convey their Eid greetings. “The Chief Minister reciprocated and shared their felicitation,” the spokesman said. Those who visited the Chief Minister’s residence included ministers, legislators, public representatives, government officers, prominent citizens, social workers, political activists and common people. TNS