Locals attend Eid-al-Adha prayers at a mosque in Srinagar. (Reuters)
Eid in Jammu and Kashmir Highlights: National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval Monday conducted an aerial survey to take stock of the security situation in the Kashmir Valley as locals offered Eid prayers. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Jammu and Kashmir Police said that prayers were offered peacefully across local mosques despite restrictions in several locations.
Speaking on similar lines, the state police said that while large gatherings were not allowed in the Valley, people were allowed to visit the neighbouring mosques to offer prayers.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Transport Corporation Monday cancelled the Delhi-Lahore bus service after Pakistan decided to discontinue the service in the wake of India’s decision of revoking the special status for Jammu and Kashmir, news agency PTI reported quoting a statement.
Curfew was reimposed in Srinagar on the eve of Eid even as the administration listed several measures taken to restore normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir. Huge deployment of security forces, concertina wires and barricades were back on the roads and public movement was curbed on Sunday. At several places, police asked vendors to close their stalls and return home.
Curfew was reimposed in Srinagar Sunday evening.
In his first remarks after the central government abrogated Article 370 which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday said that the voices form the region must be and need to be heard, adding that the country is passing through a "deep-crisis" and needs the cooperation of like-minded people. "Its outcome is not to the liking of many people of our country. It is important that the voice of all these people be heard. It is only by raising our voice that we can ensure that in the long run, the idea of India, which is very sacred to us, will prevail," the former Prime Minister said. Read more
Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday. He visited formations in both North and South Kashmir and was apprised on the current prevailing situation in the region. The Army Commander was accompanied by the Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen KJS Dhillon.
A Srinagar-based CRPF helpline which was restored on Sunday has been inundated with calls from Kashmiris living across the country and abroad seeking to know the wellbeing of their kin in J&K, officials said Monday. The 'madadgaar' helpline number - 14411 - has received over 870 calls over two days and over 55 per cent of the callers wanted to know about their families, they said. The five-digit landline number was only revived late Sunday night after it had gone dead due to the ongoing communication clampdown in the state post the government revoking its special status under Article 370. (PTI)
Hitting out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his remarks that there have been reports of violence in the Valley, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik Monday said that he will send an aircraft for Gandhi to visit and observe the onground situation. "I have invited Rahul Gandhi to come here. I will send you a plane, to observe (the situation) and then speak up. You are a responsible person and you should not speak like this," the Governor said. He added that there was no communal angle in the scrapping of Article 370 which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir, news agency PTI reported.
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik Monday said that Eid prayers were offered in all mosques in the Valley peacefully. "Today, namaz was offered by the people in every mosque. Namaz took place in every locality," he said, adding that security restrictions were relaxed on Saturday and Sunday for people to prepare for the festival. "But in troubled places, we will try to ensure peace because we don't want even a single life to be lost or people get injured. It is the responsibility of the government to protect our citizens," Malik added.
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Monday said that Eid was celebrated in the Valley with "great enthusiasm" and added that curfew and restrictions have been lifted off from several areas in Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP leader also dismissed "rumours" about the death of some people in a firing incident, and added that peace has been restored in the region, news agency PTI reported. Read more
The Jammu and Kashmir Police Monday said Eid festivities passed off peacefully, barring a few minor incidents, and there was no firing anywhere in the Kashmir Valley. Inspector General of Police SP Pani also said the Jammu and Kashmir administration was committed to maintaining peace and order and the police were working in this direction. "The Eid namaz was offered in different mosques and after the prayers, the congregations dispersed peacefully. There have been a couple of minor localised incidents of law and order which have been handled very professionally," he said. (PTI)
Security forces Monday refuted claims of clash between CRPF and the Jammu and Kashmir Police after a Pakistani journalist tweeted of the fratricide. The forces said the social media post was "malicious" and absolutely untrue and baseless. Kashmir Police, on their Twitter handle, said that the post had been reported to Twitter for action.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Tuesday a plea challenging the Centre's decision to impose restrictions and "other regressive measures" in Jammu and Kashmir following the revocation of the provisions of Article 370. The plea filed by Congress activist Tehseen Poonawalla is listed for hearing before a bench comprising Justices Arun Mishra, M R Shah and Ajay Rastogi. Besides, a separate petition filed by Anuradha Bhasin, Executive Editor of Kashmir Times, seeking removal of restrictions imposed on working of journalists in the state after the scrapping of provisions of Article 370 is likely to be mentioned for urgent listing in the apex court. (PTI)
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesperson, when asked about Kashmir, said, "any allegation of human rights abuses are concerning and must be investigated," reported news agency Reuters.
Kashmiri students studying at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Monday boycotted the Eid lunch invite from the liaison officer of the central government to protest the abrogation of Article 370 which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir. A statement released by the students said that the lunch was aimed at "rubbing salt on the wounds of the people of Kashmir". AMU officials confirmed the boycott, reported news agency PTI, and said they were taking all necessary steps to "instill confidence" in the students and ensuring their safety and security, as advised by the central government.
Several BJP leaders condemned senior Congress leader P Chidambaram's comment that the Union government would not have abrogated the special status to Jammu and Kashmir had the state been a Hindu-dominated state. While Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad alleged that the former Finance Minister's comments were "very irresponsible and provocative", BJP leaders Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the Congress was giving the issue a communal angle. Naqvi added that the government has rectified a very big mistake made decades ago by the Congress.
National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval Monday undertook an aerial survey of the Kashmir Valley to take stock of the security situation in the areas as locals celebrated Eid, news agency PTI reported. Officials said police chief Dilbag Singh and Army commanders also took an aerial survey and found the situation to be absolutely fine, adding that the Eid prayers were successfully and peacefully concluded.
The Jammu Police Monday issued an advisory to the general public and sought for complete cooperation for a secure and successful celebration of Independence Day. The police asked the people to report any person or object which looks suspicious. The advisory also asked the people to not carry arms and ammunition, sharp-edged weapons, hand bags, polythene bags, transistors, hand fire extinguishers, stop watch, any kind of powder, inflammable material like cigarettes, match boxes, lighter, cameras and alike objectionable items. (PTI)
Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) Monday cancelled the Delhi-Lahore bus service after Pakistan decided to discontinue the service in the wake of India's decision of revoking the special status for Jammu and Kashmir, a statement said. "Consequent to Pakistan's decision to suspend the Delhi-Lahore bus service, DTC is not able to send bus (from Delhi to Lahore) from August 12," the DTC statement read. A DTC bus was scheduled to leave for Lahore on Monday at 6 am but was stopped after Pakistan's decision. (PTI)
Meanwhile, in Punjab, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh invited around 125 Kashmiri students from various universities for lunch at Punjab Bhavan today. Assuring the Kashmiri students of their safety in the state, the chief minister said, “We cannot replace your families but I hope you consider us as your family too."
The Srinagar-based CRPF helpline- 14411- has been re-activated for people, especially Kashmiris, who require help for their families or are in distress post the decision to abrogate provisions of Article 370, officials said today. They said the standard five-digit landline number of the 'madadgaar' helpline has been restored after it went inactive due to the communication clampdown in the Kashmir Valley. Over 500 calls have been received on the helpline number, 14411, since late Sunday, they said.
Locals after offering prayers at a mosque in Rajouri district on Monday. (Home Ministry)
According to ANI, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval today did a recce of entire Srinagar, including Downtown, Soura, Pampore, Lal chowk, Hazratbal; also of Pampore, Budgam and South Kashmir districts of Pulwama, Awantipora. Eid celebrations were held peacefully in these areas, the news agency reported.
The customary exchange of sweets between the BSF and Pakistan Rangers along the international border did not take place today on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, officials said, PTI reported. They said the Pakistani side did not respond to Border Security Forces' move to exchange sweets and greetings along the IB running through the states of Jammu, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat. "The customary event did not take place on the occasion of Eid al-Adha on Monday," a senior official was quoted as saying by the news agency. Click here to read more.
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram has claimed that the BJP would not have abrogated the special status to Jammu and Kashmir had the state been a Hindu-dominated state, PTI reported. “Today, Jammu and Kashmir has been turned into a municipality. There are special provisions for other states under Article 371, why only J and K. This is because of religious fanaticism,” the former Union minister said. “If J&K was a Hindu-dominated state, BJP would not have done this. They did it only because the region is dominated by Muslims,” he added. The Congress leader was speaking at a public meeting in Chennai on Sunday when he made the remark. Read full story here.
People offer prayers in Srinagar.
Yougal Manhas, senior superintendent of police, Rajouri, told ANI, "It is our responsibility to facilitate people on every festival. In the last two days, we eased restrictions so people could celebrate, there are no restrictions today."
Yougal Manhas, senior superintendent of police, Rajouri, told ANI, "It is our responsibility to facilitate people on every festival. In the last two days, we eased restrictions so people could celebrate, there are no restrictions today."
Devotees offered namaaz and greeted each other in Rajouri district.
Rohit Kansal, J&K Principal Secretary (Planning Commission), told ANI, "Over 5,000 devotees offered prayers at the Eidgah mosque in Jammu. We have reports of the successful conclusion of Eid prayers from the Kashmir valley in Baramulla, Ramban, Anantnag, Shopian, Awantipora, Srinagar and other places. Over 2.5 lakh sacrificial animals were arranged by the administration, mandis were set up in eight places, treasuries and banks were kept open, over Rs 500 crore was released within two to three days, including the wages of employees. Restrictions were eased on Sunday, we saw traffic at many places."
Meanwhile, with its official helpline 14111 (called madadgar) not accessible in Srinagar due to the restrictions, the CRPF has notified a new number (9469793260) for assistance and updates on the situation. The helpline is also making available active phone lines of police stations across Kashmir.
Last week, President Ram Nath Kovind had declared the abrogation of special status given to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 following a Parliamentary approval in the Modi government's proposal. On Saturday, he gave assent to a bill passed by the Parliament for bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories -- Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh -- which will come into existence on October 31.
"People came out in good numbers to pray on Eid in Jammu and Kashmir. Prayers concluded at prominent mosques in Srinagar and Shopian. Over 4,500 offered prayers at Eidgah Jammu," the Home Ministry spokesperson said.
The Ministry of Home Affairs also said prayers were offered peacefully across Jammu and Kashmir this morning. "Info from various districts in Jammu and Kashmir. Eid prayers offered peacefully in all local mosques of Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam, Bandipore, without any untoward incident. Jamia masjid old town Baramulla witnessed approx 10,000 people offering prayers," its spokesperson tweeted.
In Jammu’s Bhatindi and Talab Khatikan areas, shops remained closed a day ahead of Eid. A few traders who had brought sheep for sale could not find many buyers. Abdul Qayoom, who had got 50 sheep from Udhampur district’s Latti area, said he could sell only 15 in the last three days. “This time, we may not even be able to cover the transportation cost,” he said. Yasir Ahmed of Nagrota said he sold 100 sheep last year, but could manage to sell only 30 this time.
Instead of achhe din, what Parliament has ensured is a long, dark night in the Valley, and perhaps even the rest of the country, with simmering communalism, rising political tensions, unending hit-and-run terrorism, asymmetric armed struggle, and guerrilla insurrection. This is what happened in East Pakistan in 1971. We are now bringing a similar disaster upon our heads, writes former Union minister Mani Shankar Aiyar. Click to read the full opinion piece.
Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Ajay Bisaria, returned to Delhi earlier today, ANI reported.
"We are a country of diverse languages, religions, cultures & ideas; this is our strength. The impact of undemocratically and forcibly altering Jammu and Kashmir's status will be felt in other states with special status. Let's not forget that most are on India's borders," Yechury said.
Taking to Twitter, CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury today alleged that the people of Kashmir have been kept "imprisoned" in their own homes and warned the government that the impact of changing Jammu and Kashmir's status would be felt in other states with special status. "Eid is an occasion of joy and celebration, and our thoughts are with the people of Kashmir who have been kept imprisoned in their own homes. We still don't know how or where our Comrades in Kashmir are," he tweeted.
On Monday morning, the usual hustle and bustle of the Eid al-Adha festival was missing in the Valley, PTI reported. The district administrations are constantly reviewing the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and doing their best to minimise the inconvenience caused to people during the restrictions imposed on movement, an official said. The government has also made arrangements for availability of adequate food and other essential items across the Kashmir Valley and steps are being taken to even deliver certain goods at people's doorsteps, another official said.
Taking to Twitter, Kashmir Police today said, "Eid prayers concluded peacefully in various parts of the Valley. No untoward incident reported so far."
People offered namaz at Mohalla mosques this morning.
In Pir Panjal and Chenab Valley regions of Jammu division, the government announced a six-hour curfew relaxation on Sunday. Sources said day curfew was lifted in Rajouri, Kishtwar and Doda districts, as well as Banihal sub-district. In Poonch district, curfew was relaxed from 10 am to 4 pm. However, cellphone services, including mobile Internet, remained suspended in the curfew-bound areas. At other places, including Udhampur, Reasi, Jammu, Samba, Kathua and parts of Rajouri district, only mobile Internet was suspended.
There are fears that large gatherings could trigger protests, after some incidents of stone-pelting were reported after the Friday prayers. J&K Director General of Police Dilbag Singh told Reuters that 1,000-1,500 people were returning from praying at mosques on Friday when “some miscreants” started pelting stones at security officials. “It was a reaction to stone-pelting by these miscreants that one or two rounds of pump-action gun was fired,” Singh said, adding that four to five men suffered injuries. Around 300 local leaders had been detained, and some of them had been taken out of Kashmir, he said.
People offered namaz at Mohalla mosques this morning, ANI reported.
A senior police officer told The Indian Express that Eid prayers may not be allowed at Jamia Masjid and Eidgah, which see the biggest Eid gatherings in the Valley. “We have made plans to deploy security forces in the Valley on Monday. We are keeping our fingers crossed,” said the officer.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished the nation on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, Monday. Greeting people on Bakrid, PM Modi hoped that the festival will further the spirit of peace and happiness in the society. “My best wishes on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. I hope it furthers the spirit of peace and happiness in our society. Eid Mubarak!” Modi tweeted.
Huge deployment of security forces, concertina wires and barricades were back on the roads and public movement was curbed. At several places, police asked vendors to close their stalls and return home. “We have received orders from senior officers to impose curfew again. No reason has been given. We are only implementing their order,” a policeman told a resident at Jehangir Chowk.
Prohibitory orders were relaxed on Friday for the first time since the security lockdown, following the government’s decision to revoke the state’s special status and bifurcate it into two Union Territories. On Sunday morning, there was some movement of private vehicles and vendors set up bakery stalls along the streets of Srinagar city. Queues could be seen outside the ATMs that were working. But by afternoon, J&K Police vehicles were seen driving around parts of Srinagar, announcing that curfew had been re-imposed, and asking people to return home. “Apne gharun main wapis jayein. Curfew doobara se nafiz huwa hai (Go back to your homes, curfew has been re-imposed),” they announced. There was no official statement on why the restrictions were back in place.
Curfew was reimposed in Srinagar on the eve of Eid, even as the administration listed several measures taken to restore normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir. Huge deployment of security forces, concertina wires and barricades were back on the roads and public movement was curbed on Sunday. At several places, police asked vendors to close their stalls and return home. Follow our live blog to follow all the latest updates.