SRINAGAR Nowhatta and its adjoining areas observed a complete shutdown against government forces who barged inside the mosque and fired tear-smoke shells and pellets on people present there on Friday prayers.
Situation inside the sprawling mosque turned into chaos when teargas shells and pellets landed there even from above the surrounding roof.
While many young boys got their pellets removed with the help of people present, most of the injured remained inside the Masjid. Announcement about the mouting injuries was made repeatedly through the mosque loudspeakers. People alleged that police did not allow shifting of injured to hospital by closing all exits
All the shops and business establishments remained closed across old city. Scores of traders staged a peaceful protest around Jamia Masjid at Nowhatta. The call for the shutdown was forwarded by Jamia Market Traders Federation and other bodies of Srinagar city. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik addressed people present at the Jamia Masjid. They condemned Forces action and termed it as brutal and uncalled for.
Meanwhile, Traders Bodies called off their strike after they reportedly been assured that forces personnel will not be deployed around Jamia Masjid.
We will see what will be the new move of the government. If it will deploy government forces around Jamia Masjid, we will go for indefinite strike and vice versa. So far, we have decided to resume the normal business from tomorrow, Javaid Ahmed Zargar, President Jamia Market Traders Federation said. (with inputs from CNS)
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