Owais Gul
Srinagar, May 7: For the second consecutive year, the mandatory Friday congregational prayers were not held at major shrines across Jammu and Kashmir including Hazratbal, historic Jamia Masjid and other shrines on the occasion of the Jumat-ul- Vida, the last Friday of fasting month of Ramadhan.
The shrines and major Masjids across the Valley remained closed in wake of the lockdown imposed by the government in order to prevent the deadly virus from spreading.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Wakf Board, Mufti Muhammad Farid-ud-din said that all the shrines and Masjid being taken care of by the Wakf board remained closed today due to the ongoing lockdown.
“Dargah Hazratbal and other shrines remained closed and the Friday prayers were not held today,” he informed.
However, the Muslims offered mandatory Friday prayers at local Masjids with less attendance of the Nimazis.
Notably, the Friday prayers on the occasion of Jumatulvida last year were not held in the shrines and Masjids across J&K in wake of the pandemic.
Besides, the Corona Curfew continued to remain in place across Srinagar and other districts of J&K for the eighth straight day to prevent the deadly virus from spreading. The lockdown will continue till May 10.
Eye-witnesses informed that police and paramilitary troops were deployed although in large number to enforce the lockdown restrictions. The barricades and concertina wires were erected at many places and bridges to thwart the public movement, they said.
Meanwhile, all the shops and business establishments barring emergency services, standalone shops remained closed throughout the day in Srinagar and other districts of Jammu and Kashmir. Besides, the public transport with 50 per cent seating capacity was also allowed to ply today by the authorities.
Moreover, during the last 24 hours, Police has arrested 43 persons, lodged 12 FIRs and also realized fine to the tune of Rs 70,010 from 480 people for violating the guidelines and rules throughout Kashmir valley.
“Besides, 24 vehicles were also seized in Budgam and Baramulla for violating Covid-19 norms,” a police spokesman said, adding that the special drive against the violators of Covid-19 guidelines and rules continued throughout all the districts of Kashmir Valley to ensure that people adhere to SOPs and guidelines envisaged by government to curb COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, police appealed to people to cooperate in containing the spread of Coronavirus by following the SOPs, guidelines and protocols for the safety of the people. “The special drive shall remain continue throughout the districts of Kashmir Valley to strengthen the safety measures,” police said.
