Conflict

Student killing: Mandatory Friday prayers disallowed in Jamia Masjid Srinagar; army opens fire in Pulwama

Jamia Masjid Srinagar (FPK Photo: Vikar Syed)

Srinagar: The J&K Government disallowed mandatory Friday prayers in Jamia Masjid Srinagar today while as Indian army men opened fire in air to ‘scare away’ protestors in Pulwama district.

Kashmir valley is observing a complete shutdown today against the killing of a college going student in Shopian on last Tuesday evening.

Adil Farooq Magray – a 19-year-old youth – was shot dead by Indian armed forces when people broke cordon and search operation (CASO) in Ganowpora area of the district to help a militant escape unhurt.

Shopian remained shut for three consecutive days since then while the joint resistance leadership called for a Valley wide strike today against the killing of Adil.

The Srinagar district administration imposed strict restrictions in parts of summer capital while the resistance leadership had asked people to hold protests after the congregational Friday prayers.

However, the government restricted people to their homes in Old Srinagar and closed historic Jamia Masjid located in Nowhatta area. No one was allowed to move towards the grand Masjid to call for prayers – mandatory to be held in congregation on Fridays.

Valley’s chief cleric and Hurriyat Conference (M) chairperson, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, leads the Friday prayers at the Jamia Masjid.

In Pulwama district, an army vehicle came under stone pelting attack by protestors.

The army men came down from their vehicle and fired several gun shots in air to “scare away the protestors”.

The incident happened in Chewa Kalan village of the district. The situation has returned to uneasy calm.

In Badipora’s Hajin town, severe clashes broke out between civilians and armed forces when people tried to hold pro-freedom demonstrations after Friday prayers ended.

The armed forces blocked the march of people and fired tear gas canisters following which people resorted to stone pelting. Clashes were going on when last reports came in.

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