SRINAGAR, March 08 (INP): In occupied Kashmir, the authorities for the second consecutive Friday, today, disallowed congregational Juma prayers at Historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the Kashmir valley is observing a shutdown today against the slapping of Public Safety Act against the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Jama’at leaders and assault on Article 35-A of the Indian Constitution that grants special rights to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Witnesses said that all the roads leading the historic masjid were blocked by Indian troops and police personnel deployed in the area to stop people from staging anti-India demonstrations. Call for the demonstrations was given by the Joint Resistance Leadership comprising Syed Ali Gilani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik to protest against the stepped up Indian state terrorism in the territory.

The gates of Jamia Masjid were locked by the troops to stop people from entering the premises. The occupation authorities had imposed restrictions in several parts of Srinagar.

The occupation authorities put Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who addresses the faithful during Friday congregations at the grand mosque, under house arrest.

The Mirwaiz while condemning the authorities in a tweet said, “For the 2nd consecutive week mandatory Friday Prayers barred at Jamia Masjid Srinagar by the ruling regime. Restrictions imposed in Shehr-e-Khaas. People caged in homes. Leadership is either house arrested or jailed under PSA.”

Meanwhile, the Mirwaiz-led Hurriyat forum in its statement in Srinagar denounced the authorities for once again disallowing congregational Juma prayers at Jamia Masjid Srinagar, today. He also condemned the continued house detention of the Mirwaiz and described it frustration of the authorities.

It said that India would never weaken the freedom sentiment of the Kashmiri people by imposing curfew and restrictions in the territory, adding that the people of Kashmir would continue their struggle till it reached its logical conclusion.

INP/AK