New Delhi - Eid-al-Adha celebrations in India-administered
Kashmir were subdued on Monday, with streets and markets in the
Muslim-majority region practically deserted due to tight security
restrictions.
Authorities imposed a security lockdown and a communications blackout
after New Delhi withdrew Kashmir's special constitutional autonomy a
week ago, renewing tensions with rival Pakistan, which has long
claimed the state as part of its territory.
Eid prayers were not allowed in major mosques in the main city of
Srinagar, which has been subject to curfews. Large congregations were
banned in order to prevent anti-India protests, police said.
"Eid prayers have peacefully concluded in local areas and
neighbourhood mosques in Srinagar. These were also held in thousands
of mosques in Kashmir valley and the Jammu region," state police
chief Dilbag Singh said by phone.
Large number of people congregated for Eid-ul-Adha prayers in thousands of mosques all across Kashmir valley. Peaceful all around. pic.twitter.com/kc78jrwtRA
— Imtiyaz Hussain (@hussain_imtiyaz) August 12, 2019
Severe restrictions were reimposed early Monday after being eased at
the weekend. The government cited sporadic clashes in Srinagar, but
denied reports of large-scale protests.
Muslims walk past Indian paramilitary soldiers after offering prayers during Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of the Sacrifice, in Jammu. Picture: Channi Anand/AP
Domestic and international media have had limited access to
information from the ground since journalists' movement is restricted
and phone and internet services are still blocked.
An uneasy calm prevailed in Indian-administered Kashmir on Monday as people celebrated a major Islamic festival during a severe crackdown after India moved to strip the disputed region of its constitutional autonomy and imposed an indefinite curfew. Picture: Channi Anand/AP
Top Kashmiri political leaders and activists remain under detention.
India-administered Kashmir has been gripped by a violent secessionist
movement led by separatist leaders and militant groups against New
Delhi's rule since the 1980s.