Quietest of The Eid’s In Kashmir, No Huge Prayer Gatherings, No Celebrations

SRINAGAR: The Eid-ul-Azha passed off peacefully, incident-free, and without any gathering anywhere, at least in the capital city. Deserts remained deserted as massive deployments were made overnight.

CRPF personnel stands guard on the deserted business street in Maisuma locality of Srinagar, on Saturday, August 1, 2020. Authorities ordered the closure of all major religious places, including mosques and shrines in Kashmir, to contain the spread of Coronavirus. Kashmir has extended lockdown until August 5, 2020. KL Image: Bilal Bahadur

No major Eid prayer gathering was reported anywhere from Srinagar. People preferred having quick prayers in the small Mohalla masques in which quite a few people were permitted. Most of the Eid prayers took place quite early, starting 6:30 am.

A deserted Lal chowk amid the on-going Coronavirus lockdown in Srinagar on Saturday, August 1, 2020. This would usually remain crowded during the festivals. Authorities have extended lockdown until August 5, 2020. KL Image: Bilal Bahadur

Authorities had ensured special deployments on almost all the business streets and the major mosques across Srinagar. The drop gates had emerged on almost all the roads in Srinagar with CRPF manning these obstructions. Concertina wires and barricades were placed at many intersections in the city to prevent the free movement of people.

Srinagar administration had already announced that they would not be permitting the movement. In certain areas, it was looking like a curfew.

CRPF was apparently dominating the scene outside the Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta. There was no Eid prayer in the mosque that is almost closed for nearly a year. The restrictions are seriously being implemented after March to flatten the infection curve of Covid-19. KL Image: Bilal Bahadur

Though the incidence of animal scarifies was hugely low, those who made sacrifices adopted the set protocol and distributed it within the localities they live. In certain uptown areas, the movement was slightly better in the afternoon.

Overnight the concertina wire obstructions had emerged on most of the streets. These were aimed at preventing the movement of the people on Eid, especially for gathering in mosques. KL Image: Bilal Bahadur

Earlier during the day, the cops made public announcements asking residents to avoid congregations owing to the looming pandemic threat.

A paramilitary man stands guard outside the main gate of the closed Jama Masjid in Srinagar, on Saturday, August 1, 2020. Authorities ordered the closure of all major religious places, including mosques and shrines in Kashmir, to contain the spread of Coronavirus. Kashmir has extended lockdown until August 5, 2020, the day that coincides with the first anniversary of the annulling of Article 370. KL Image: Bilal Bahadur

This is the third Eid since 2019 that Kashmir “celebrated’ in a restrictive atmosphere. Last year it came after August 5, intervention by the parliament. The first Eid after the month-long fasting came at the peak of Covid-19 fears, a situation that still exists. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir is heading towards the first anniversary of the August 5 decision-making that devoured the state’s special status and the status of a state.

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