Clashes Outside Grand Mosque after Friday Prayers

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Srinagar: Security forces today burst teargas shells to disperse protestors after Friday prayers in downtown Srinagar .

Trouble started immediately after prayers were over in historic Jamia masjid, where Friday prayers were not allowed last week in view of a strike called by the Separatists against the killing of a teenager in the firing by security force in Pulwama district on March 9. Hundreds of protestors took to streets outside the mosque after the Friday prayers.
Shouting anti-government and pro-freedom slogans, the protestors tried to march towards main Nowhatta chowk.

However, security forces deployed in the area swung into action and stopped the demonstrators from moving ahead. As the protestors didnt back down, security forces burst teargas shells to disperse the demonstrators, who were regrouping and pelting stones.

Meanwhile, clashes also erupted after Friday prayers were over at Jamia Masjid in Sopore.

Shouting anti-forces and pro-freedom slogans, hundreds of protestors took to streets outside Jamia masjid in Sopore after Friday prayers.

But, when the protestors tried to take out a protest march, security forces deployed in the area burst teargas shells to disperse the protestors, who were pelting stones.

Friday prayers allowed in Jamia Masjid

After remaining off limits for devotees on March 10, Friday prayers were offered today in historic Jamia Masjid in Shehar-e-Khas in Srinagar.

However, protestors clashed with security forces after Friday prayers were over in the mosque.

No Friday prayers could be offered at the Masjid, stronghold of chairman of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, last week due to apprehension of trouble in view of a strike called by the Separatists against the killing of a teenager in the firing by security force in Pulwama on March 9. Mirwaiz was this morning put under house arrest after his release from detention last night.

Prayers were also held at Hazratbal shrine, which houses the holy relic of Prophet Muhammad, on the bank of Dal Lake, the shrines of Syed Yaqub Sarfi Sahib in Sonwar, Sheikh Nooruddin Noorani in Charar-e-Sharief, Jenab Sahib Soura, Shehree Kalashpora, Peer Dastijar Sahib Khanayar and Hazrat Sheikh Dawood, Batmaloo.

Reports of offering of prayers were also received from other parts of the Valley.

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