After breather, security upped in J&K before Eid: Reports
In Jammu and Kashmir, curfew was re-imposed on Sunday afternoon, a day before Eid celebrations, said reports. Authorities had eased restrictions in some areas to help people prepare for the festival. However, prohibitory orders banning large gatherings were put back on. According to NDTV, police asked people to return to their homes, and directed shopkeepers to shut shops. Here's what went down.
Backstory: For days now, J&K has been under lockdown
Centre turned J&K into a fortress before it announced the big decision of withdrawing the state's special status and dividing it into two Union Territories. Notably, the restrictions were relaxed for the first time on Friday. While thousands turned up at local mosques for namaz, no untoward incident was reported. In fact, schools and colleges reopened in Jammu on Saturday.
Police asked residents to go back to their homes
On Sunday morning, some private vehicles were seen in Srinagar and a couple of vendors set up their stalls too. ATMs were also reportedly working. However, by afternoon J&K police started driving across the city, asking people to return indoors. "Apne gharun main wapis jayein. Curfew doobara se nafiz huwa hai (Go back to your homes, curfew has been re-imposed)," police reportedly announced.
Trying to reduce inconveniences: Srinagar's District Magistrate
An official statement to reveal why curfew was re-imposed wasn't released. A senior officer told IE that Eid prayers might not be allowed at Jamia Masjid and Eidgah while adding that administration will deploy heavy forces in the valley. Meanwhile, Shahid Choudhary, Srinagar's DM, tweeted, "We are trying to reduce inconveniences and ease facilities. Just had an elaborate meeting with Imams for prayer arrangements."
Meanwhile, authorities claimed valley has been peaceful
On Saturday, a Home Ministry spokesperson said there were "stray protests" in Srinagar and Baramulla. The count of protesters wasn't more than 20, the spokesperson added. The Home Ministry had also dismissed a media report which claimed that 10,000 people protested against the Centre's decision on Friday. In fact, police chief Dilbagh Singh, also maintained that barring minor stone-pelting incidents, nothing major happened.
In Jammu, restrictions were completely lifted in five districts
Notably, things are crawling back to normalcy in Jammu. As per reports, restrictions under Section 144 of CrPc were completed lifted in five districts, and in other five districts, prohibitory orders were relaxed for a few hours.
Separately, MHA revealed what's being done to bring normalcy back
On a related note, MHA released a statement listing the measures it has undertaken to ensure normalcy returns soon. A spokesperson revealed banks, treasuries, and ATMs were functioning properly to ensure people don't face a cash problem. "The delivery of vegetables/LPG/Poultry/eggs has been ensured at the doorsteps through mobile vans. Six (6) Mandies/Markets have been established in Srinagar city, (sic)" the statement added.
Government said it has made elaborate arrangements for Eid
"Further, 2.5 lac sheep on hooves are available for the public for Eid-ul-Azha sacrifice. In rest of the districts, District Magistrates have made elaborate arrangements for the forthcoming Eid-ul-Azha. Special and elaborate arrangements have been made for the safe and hassle-free return of Hajis," the statement went on.
