COVID-19: Masjids, shrines remain shut for 3rd straight week, no congregational prayers across JK

Srinagar: To prevent the deadly Coronavirus from spreading, no large congregation was witnessed at many Masjids or shrines across Jammu and Kashmir on Friday with all the religious places remaining locked for third straight week.
Witnesses said that all the religious places across the Union territory including the major Masjids and shrines like Dargah Hazratbal and historic Jamia Masjid remained locked throughout the day.
The religious places remained closed amid the continuous lockdown across the Union Territory for the 17th straight day today with police and paramilitary troopers remaining deployed on the roads here.
The roads as per the witnesses were sealed by the forces by erecting concertina wires on the roads, which halted the vehicular as well as pedestrians’ movement throughout the day.
Witnesses said that the people having valid restriction passes as well as those working in essential sectors were being allowed to move by the authorities.
Besides, officials said that those who violated the government’s prohibitory orders issued under section 144 CrPC were booked by the police throughout the day.
According to the official figures available, over 100 people were arrested today for defying the government orders. Jammu and Kashmir as per a statement issued here has arrested 110 persons in Srinagar, Bandipora and Handwara’s Kupwara district for violating the government orders.
“Acting tough against the violators of Government prohibitory orders, Police in Srinagar, Bandipora and Handwara have arrested 110 persons and seized 08 vehicles for defying the restriction orders imposed by the government in view of Covid-19,” said a police spokesman, in a statement.
In Srinagar, he said, the police have arrested 26 persons including 7 shopkeepers in the jurisdictions of Police Station Shaheed Gunj, Nowgam, Khanyar and Parimpora for defying the restriction orders imposed by the government in view of Covid-19 and also seized two vehicles.
In Bandipora, Police have arrested 50 persons and seized six vehicles for breaching the prohibitory orders of District Magistrate Bandipora across the district. Cases under relevant sections of law have been registered and investigations in the cases have been initiated, he said.
In Handwara, Police Station Qalamabad have arrested 10 persons for violating prohibitory orders imposed u/s144 CrPC. “While Police Station Kralgund have arrested 19 persons for violating the prohibitory orders over Coronavirus.
Similarly, Police Station Handwara has arrested five persons for violating prohibitory orders imposed by District Magistrate under section 144 CrPC.
“Cases under relevant sections of law have been registered in respective Police Stations and investigations in the cases have been initiated,” police said.
Meanwhile, Kulgam police has arrested 15 violators and seized two vehicles for defying prohibitory orders and assaulting government officials, officials said.
As per officials, Police Station Qazigund arrested seven violators and seized two vehicles bearing registration number JK03C-1916 and JK03D-4634 in this regard cases FIR number 81, 82/2020 under 188,269 IPC stands registered.
Police Station Kulgam arrested two violators for assaulting government officials, in this regard a case under FIR number 59/2020 under section 188,269,147,148,336,307,353,427 IPC stands registered, officials said, adding that Police Station D H Pora arrested one violator and a case vide FIR number 42/2020 under section 188,269,271 IPC stands registered.
Officials said Police Station Yaripora arrested five violators and a case under FIR number 31/2020 under section 188,269 IPC stands registered