By Jehangir Ali
Srinagar: Authorities sealed Jamia Masjid, Kashmir’s largest mosque, in capital Srinagar on Friday (October 13), while senior Hurriyat leader and chairman of his faction of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, was one again reportedly put under house arrest.
According to reports, the decision to close the historical mosque situated in Nowhatta locality of downtown Srinagar was taken due to apprehensions that worshippers might stage protests or take out demonstrations against Israel’s actions in Gaza and in support of Palestine.
Nowhatta, which is situated in the heart of downtown Srinagar, used to be an epicentre of anti-India sentiment. Pro-Palestine and anti-Israel protests were frequently reported from the Jamia Masjid before the Union government read down Article 370 and clamped down on protesters in Kashmir.
A member of Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid (AAJM), the managing body of Kashmir’s largest mosque, told The Wire that a team of police officials closed the gates of Jama Masjid ahead of the congregational afternoon prayers on Friday and worshippers were turned away.
Security deployment in and around the historical mosque was also stepped up, apparently to prevent any law and order problems, according to officials and witnesses. “We were informed that Friday prayers will not be allowed today. No explanation was provided by police,” the AAJM member said.
Senior Hurriyat leader and moderate Hurriyat chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who was released last week after more than four years of house arrest, was again place under house arrest on Friday at his Nigeen residence in Srinagar, according to an aide of the senior separatist leader.
This story was originally published in thewire.in. Read the full story here .
