Clampdown in Srinagar on Eid, But Authorities Say J&K ‘Peaceful’

J&K Principal Secretary Rohit Kansal has denied that any firing has happened in Jammu and Kashmir.

A view of the Lal Chowk on the seventh day of curfew in Srinagar on 11 August.

(Photo: PTI/S Irfan)

As Kashmir celebrated Eid al-Adha on Monday, 12 August, in the aftermath of revocation of provisions of Article 370, The Quint's correspondent Poonam Agarwal, who is in Srinagar currently, said that there was a complete clampdown in the city in the morning, with people being restricted and restrained from going to many places.

She was told that people were offering prayers only at their mohalla (neighbourhood) mosques.

"It was difficult... They offered prayers in the mohalla (neighbourhood) mosques. In the morning, from 6 am, I have seen that restrictions were there in many places, cars were not allowed. And especially, at 8 am, after offering their prayers, people were stopped at many places so that they don't assemble. Security was very tight in the morning," she said.

Despite slight relaxation, after around 11 am, the situation remained bad in Srinagar, especially in the downtown areas, she further pointed out.

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‘Extremely Relaxed Eid’, Say Authorities

On the other hand, in a press conference on Monday evening, J&K Principal Secretary Rohit Kansal said that the state had an "extremely peaceful and relaxed Eid", as he further denied that any firing has happened in Jammu and Kashmir.

“There have been some reports in the media about firing by security agencies and deaths. The police carried out a detailed briefing and I would like to reiterate and categorically deny that any firing incident has happened in J&K. I reiterate that not a single bullet has been fired by the security agencies nor has there been any casualty.”

Rohit Kansal, J&K Principal Secretary (Planning Commission)

Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, SP Pani was quoted by ANI as saying, "We just had a couple of minor localised incidents of law and order, which were handled very professionally. In these incidents, there were only a couple of injuries reported and otherwise, the situation in the entire valley is normal."

Officials cited by PTI had also claimed that barring stray protests, Eid prayers at various mosques in the state concluded peacefully.

Earlier, the Kashmir Police and spokesperson of the Home Ministry had also tweeted saying that Eid prayers were offered peacefully.

The Valley celebrated Eid on Monday amid strict restrictions that are in place after the decision to revoke provisions of Article 370.