Restrictions were eased to allow people in Kashmir to offer Friday prayers in local mosques, officials said as security forces were put on high alert across the Valley in an apparent move to prevent possible protests. It is the day 5 of the lockdown .
Jammu and Kashmir: Locals arrive at a mosque in Srinagar to offer Friday prayers. pic.twitter.com/TybIHlsYOL
— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2019
PTI has reported , that the decision to ease the restrictions was taken after National Security Advisor Ajit Doval directed authorities to ensure that no Kashmiris were harassed, they said.
Security forces have been put on high alert across the Kashmir Valley preempting possible protests against the scrapping of special status to Jammu and Kashmir and dividing it into two union territories, another set of officials said.
The decision was taken as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order, a day after restrictions in some parts of the civil lines areas of the city and Dal Lake were relaxed to allow free movement of people, they said.
“In view of expected gathering of people at mosques for Friday prayers, there is apprehension of mass protests and accordingly necessary steps were taken to ensure peace,” a security official said earlier in the day.
He said the restrictions under prohibitory orders, which are in place, are being implemented strictly especially in sensitive localities and trouble-prone areas.
Meanwhile , Amid a security clampdown and suspension of internet services in the state, Jammu Divisional Commissioner Sanjeev Verma has in a report by ANI said that normalcy is returning to the region and that the authorities are doing everything in their power to facilitate people.
“We are facilitating the people, making arrangements for their travel and regulating the situation. Normalcy is returning to the Jammu province. Phone services have been restored, if normalcy continues, internet services will also be restored soon,” Verma said at a presser on Jammu.
“We are regulating the situation to control it from spiralling out of control,” he said.
The Divisional Commissioner also gave an assurance that the authorities are making sure the people do not face any problem in celebrations of Eid al-Adha, Independence Day and Raksha Bandhan.
“Authorities are doing everything in their power to facilitate the people. Many schools have been opened, others will also start soon. Mosques are open. People are offering their prayers daily. Shops in markets are also opening,” Verma said.
“So far, people have been cooperating with the administration. Law and order situation is totally peaceful and local authorities are in constant touch with each other and with the people, he added.
Verma also appealed that the people approach concerned authorities if they face any problems and avoid rumours.
Sushma Chauhan, Deputy Magistrate (DM) Jammu District: Section 144 (gathering of more than 4 people banned) withdrawn from Jammu Municipal limits. All school, and colleges to open tomorrow (August 10). pic.twitter.com/EezNKkIKpu
— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2019
“We have also supplied basic necessities to the people. Electricity and water supply are also normal and hospitals are working as usual. Assessment of the situation is conducted regularly,” he said
