Admin tightens grip to thwart anti-braid chopping protests
Srinagar: As the Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) had called for protests after Friday prayers, the district administration Friday imposed strict restrictions in Shehr-e-Khaas areas here to thwart any possible protests against the rising braid chopping incidents in Kashmir.
With no let up in the braid chopping incidents, the JRL including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik had appealed people to protest after Friday congregational prayers today against the ‘attack on women’s dignity’, which according to them is aimed to divert the attention of Kashmiris from the ongoing freedom movement.
Pertinently, restrictions under section 144 were imposed in Srinagar areas falling under the jurisdiction of seven Police Stations including Khanyar, Nowhatta, Rainawari, MR Gunj, Safakadal, Maisuma and Kralkhud.
The authorities had said that the restrictions would be imposed as a ‘precautionary measure’.
Heavy contingents of police and paramilitary troopers were deployed on the roads who had erected concertina wires on the roads leading towards the restriction bound areas, which halted the vehicular as well as the pedestrian movement.
Amid tight restrictions, the historic Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta area remained closed for the third consecutive Friday.
Witnesses said that the authorities barred people to offer the Friday congregational prayers in the Jamia Masjid today.
“The Police and paramilitary troopers didn’t allow us to offer mandatory Friday prayers in the jamia Masjid,” locals informed.
They informed that all the four gates of historic Masjid remained closed.
The head cleric of the Masjid and the Hurriyat Conference (M) chief, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq continued to remain under house arrest from last several weeks.
KV Correspondent
