For peaceful Eid, Mufti govt detains separatists

Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 24

Amid fears of violence during Eid festivity, the state government has decided to suspend the internet services for two days from Friday morning. The government has also detained many separatist leaders to ensure a peaceful festival.

The measures by the PDP-BJP government have been taken in the wake of the beef ban controversy as Islamic scholars and many separatist leaders have urged people to protest the ban orders.

Sources said the police have also cancelled holidays of Station House Officers across the state and all senior officers to ensure “better coordination and smooth” law and order situation till further orders.

The police said almost all Hurriyat leaders were either detained or put under house arrest to ensure that there were no protests led by separatists on Eid eve.

The government decided to suspend all internet services, including GPRS, broadband, and wi-fi, for two days during Eid.

The police said the move was aimed at ensuring that pictures of bovine slaughter were not posted on the social media.

“The internet ban will also restrict rumour-mongering during the festival,” a senior police officer said while confirming the government decision to impose ban on inter-net services.

Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Asgar Hassan Samoon said all arrangements were in place for Eid-ul-Adha.

“All necessary arrangements have been made for Eid,” the Divisional Commissioner said.

The major Eid congregation prayers in Srinagar are expected to be held Eidgah and Hazratbal. However, with Eid falling on Friday, there is another challenge for security forces as protests and clashes after Friday prayers are a regular feature in many parts of the Kashmir valley, particularly in downtown Srinagar.

Meanwhile, festive mood engulfed the Kashmir valley as people thronged markets for last-minute shopping.

The commercial hub of Srinagar, Lal Chowk, witnessed a huge rush of shoppers, mostly youngsters, on the eve of the festival.