Authorities once again disallowed Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta area of Old City and clamped curfew-like restrictions in various parts of downtown. Resistance leader and chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was placed under house arrest.
According to locals, contingents of police and CRPF arrived in Nowhatta and adjoining areas in morning hours and announced imposition of restrictions. They said that forces laid barbed wires on main roads and sealed Jamia Masjid. The locals said that the restrictions were imposed in adjoining Rajouri Kadal, Bhori Kadal, Malarrata, Saraf Kadal areas.
The locals said that forces did not allow civilian movement in these areas and enforced the curbs strictly. They said that Jama Masjid was sealed from all sides and no one was allowed towards it. “For sixth week, no ‘Azaan’ was given in Jama Masjid as nobody was allowed to go inside. This is highly painful and unacceptable,” said a Nowhatta resident.
To stop him from delivering sermon at Jama Masjid, the police placed Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house arrest. The Hurriyat Conference has condemned the continued house arrest of Mirwaiz and closure of Jama Masjid for Friday prayers. The curbs in downtown areas were eased in the afternoon and skeletal movement of pedestrians was witnessed.