Srinagar: The historic Jamia Masjid was again locked to prevent any Friday congregation in the downtown, where large number of security forces and state police personnel have been deployed since early this morning.
Moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq has been places under house arrest, two days ahead of second death anniversary of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militant commander Burhan Wani, who was killed in an encounter with security forces in Anantnag district on July 8, 2016.
The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz and Mohammad Yasin Malik, had urged religious clerics to hold ‘Fatiha Khwani’ after Friday prayers for Burhan who was killed in encounter and about 120 civilians, who died during about six-month-long unrest, triggered by the killing of the HM commander in 2016. The separatists have also called for a strike on Sunday. All gates of the masjid, stronghold of Mirwaiz, were locked and security forces and state police personnel, wearing bullet proof jackets and holding automatic weapons were deployed in strength in the area to prevent any Friday congregation today.
Security forces also had been deployed in the Jamia market and nearby areas and nobody was being allowed to enter there.
A ‘Mouzen’ who gives Azaan (call for prayers) from Jamia Masjid told UNI that he was informed by the security forces that no Friday prayers would be allowed there.
The main Nowhatta road was through for traffic though very few vehicles were plying on the road. However, Rajouri Kadal and Ranger stop roads have been closed with barbed wires.
A moderate HC spokesperson told UNI that paramilitary and state police personnel were on Friday morning deployed outside the Nigeen residence of Mirwaiz, who was informed that he has been placed under house arrest.
