Muted celebrations in Valley

Tribune News Service 

Srinagar/ Jammu, August 12 

Eid festivities in the Kashmir valley were marred by strict restrictions with people opting to keep indoors. Roads in Srinagar wore a deserted look with only security men manning the streets. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval monitored the situation throughout the day. Government spokesman Rohit Kansal said the festival passed off peacefully in the capital and other parts of the Valley. There was no untoward incident. However, sources said a protest was held in Anchar area of the city that concluded peacefully. In the old Srinagar city, barricades were placed every 100 metres with large contingents of forces stationed on every road. The curbs were relaxed in some parts later in the day.

Communication links being snapped, there were no exchange of greetings. Gulzar Ahmad, who has two daughters, one in Bengaluru and the other in Qatar, Doha, lamented that he had been unable to greet them on the occasion. 

“Every Eid, mobiles would ring continuously. That is an old story now,” he added. 

Outside Kashmir’s revered shrine Mir Syed Yaqoob at Sonawar, an elderly lady was furious. She said she had never missed Eid prayers at the shrine for three decades. Today, she was told that prayers would not be allowed at the shrine. Former CMs Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, now in custody, would offer Eid prayers at the shrine located in the high-security zone. Prayers were not allowed at the Jamia mosque either, only at local mosques.

Inspector General of Police SP Pani said there were “localised incidents of law and order” and two persons were injured. “There was no incident of firing,” he told the media. 

In trouble-torn South Kashmir, mosques saw a large turnout. Town mosques in Pulwama and Kakapora had  hundreds of devotees offering prayers. “A large number of people gathered to offer prayers in Anantnag, Bijbehara, Aishmuqam, Achabal, Eidgah Tral, Darul Aloom Tral, Zainpora Shopian, Keygam, Keller and Arhama in Shopian, Ziyarat Sharief, Jamia Masjid, Yaripoa, Qazikund, Qaimoh and Kund in Kulgam,” an official spokesperson said. 

In Jammu, there were large gatherings in all big mosques of Ramban, Kishtwar, Doda, Rajouri and Poonch.

Delhi-Lahore bus service called off

New Delhi: The Delhi Transport Corporation on Monday cancelled the Delhi-Lahore bus service after Pakistan decided to discontinue it in the wake of India revoking J&K’s special status, said a senior official of the public transporter. “Consequent to Pakistan’s decision to suspend the Delhi-Lahore bus service, DTC is not able to send bus from August 12,” said a DTC statement. PTI

SC to hear plea on restrictions today

New Delhi: The SC is scheduled to hear on Tuesday a plea challenging restrictions and “other regressive measures” in Jammu and Kashmir following the revocation of the provisions of Article 370. The plea, filed by Congress activist Tehseen Poonawalla, is listed for hearing before a Bench comprising Justices Arun Mishra, MR Shah and Ajay Rastogi. PTI

NSA Ajit Doval conducts aerial survey of valley

Jammu: National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, monitoring the security situation in Kashmir, conducted an aerial survey of Srinagar, Pampore and Budgam and some areas of south Kashmir on Monday. TNS

Efforts on to ‘redress’ situation: Pak army chief

Islamabad: Pakistan has initiated multiple efforts to “redress” the situation in Kashmir and will support the Kashmiri people “whatever effort it takes”, Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa said on Monday. “Our resolve to solve the Kashmir dispute is as strong as desire for peace,” he said. PTI