J & K People Celebrate Eid Amidst Tightest Ever Security

Amid massive security arrangements and some sporadic incidents of stone pelting and street protests, muted Eid celebrations were observed in Kashmir Valley on Monday after revocation of the special status under Article  370 and 35-A  . Due to restrictions on large gatherings for security reasons,  special prayers were offered  in smaller mosques around the Kashmir  Valley where National Conference and PDP supporters are opposing the  abrogation of the Articles  .An official release stated that in view of the possibility of `terrorists, militants and mischievous elements trying to disturb public order and peace,’  reasonable restrictions were imposed on large gatherings in sensitive areas.  People gathered in large numbers at local mosques to offer prayers.Government claimed people congregated for Eid-ul-Adha prayers in thousands of mosques all across Kashmir valley amidst peaceful all around. Downplaying the incidents of protests, the government spokesman claimed that `some minor localised protests of a routine nature took place at a few places which is not  unknown in Jammu and Kashmir in the past’.  The release further claimed that only a few protestors were injured in police action without specifying the nature of police action. The government said that restrictions imposed were eased from Saturday onwards in a `calibrated manner, balancing the requirements of facilitating the public and preventing mischievous elements from creating trouble.’  Some media reports had suggested that on Sunday, the authorities had withdrawn the relaxation of prohibitory orders. Earlier,  the state administration held a meeting with local clerics to oversee prayer arrangements and ensure peaceful celebrations. Markets saw huge rush ahead of Eid-ul-Adha in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch. Situation in Jammu and Kashmir remained peaceful on Sunday, ahead of the festival of Eid-ul Azha, officials said. They added that residents would be allowed to offer prayers in neighbourhood mosques on the occasion of the festival on Monday. Ahead of the festival, restrictions were relaxed in several parts in Kashmir as people were permitted to come out to shop and quite a few banks, ATMs and markets remained open on Sunday. 6-hour relaxation has been provided to civilians on the eve of festival in the region..Meanwhile, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday said that the abrogation of Article 370 is in the interest of the nation. Addressing a function in Chennai, he said, “We must always remember the history, analyse what happened, what not happened and then move forward. Abrogation of Article 370 is in interest of the nation, its future, security, safety. I can say as the Vice President of India that we should all think in terms of national interest rather than party’s interest. Article 370 should not be treated as a political issue, it should be treated as a national issue.” “Kashmir is an integral part of India. Whatever problems are there we should all stand by the people of Kashmir and see to it that steps are taken to restore normalcy and implementing developmental and welfare agenda at the earliest. Tribune News Service reports from Shopian that Mohammad Mansoor Magray, a known social activist from Shopian, who was seen “interacting and enjoying food “ with National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval in a video which went viral has threatened defamation case against senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad for “jeopardising his life and terming him a paid agent”.agray, 62, a retired forest ranger, said till last moment, he was not aware that he was talking to Ajit Doval and he realised this only after the NSA introduced him to the locals who had been brought to the spot by the administration for meeting the Director General (DGP)of the J&K Police.The video shot in the Shopian Chowk, the militancy hotspot in south Kashmir, was released by the government to the press on August 7, just a day after the Rajya Sabha passed the Bill revoking special status of J&K. The video went viral on the social media depicting the reach out of the NSA to the locals in south Kashmir. Meanwhile, NSA Ajit Doval  did a recce of the entire Srinagar city, including downtown, Soura, Pampore, Lal Chowk and Hazratbal apart from also visiting Pampore, Budgam, South kashmir districts of Pulwama and Awantipora. Eid celebrations were going on peacefully in all areas reports ANI(piz courtesy : Firepost) .