Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Oct 16: Eid-ul-Azha was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety across the Kashmir valley today. The celebrations passed off peacefully. However, a police man died and three others were injured in stone pelting related violence after Eid prayers at a few places.
Thousands of people offered Eid prayers in Eidgahs, shrines and Jamia Masjids across Kashmir valley. The main congregation was held at Hazratbal shrine on the bank of famed Dal Lake where around one lakh people joined the prayers.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah offered prayers at Hazratbal shrine amid tight security. Police and para-military forces were deployed in strength for the smooth conduct of prayers. Omar exchanged Eid greetings with the people and conveyed his wishes to them after the prayers.
An official spokesman said that the Chief Minister prayed for peace, development and prosperity of the State and the country. “He expressed the hope that while celebrating Eid, people will not forget the needy and share happiness with them”, the spokesman said.
Separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah who had reached Hazratbal to offer prayers was detained and wished away by police. Police sources said that he was detained as a precautionary measure to prevent violence in the area during the prayers.
Bigger congregations were also reported from historic Jamia Masjid, Jehab Sahib Soura, Shehrai Kalashpora, Hazrat Mehboobu-ul-Alam shrine, Mir Syed Ali Hamdani, Dastigeer Sahib Khanyar and Sarai Bala, Hazrat Sheikh Nooruddin Wali Charar-e-Sharief, Sheikh Dawood Batmaloo, Zainashah Sahib Ashmuqam and Syed Yaqoob Sarfi Sonawar and Pologround near the TRC. People also offered prayers at local Masjids and Eidgahs since morning.
Mirwaiz Omar Farooq offered prayers at Jamia Masjid Srinagar and addressed a large gathering before the prayers. It is after two years that Mirwaiz was allowed to offer Eid prayers as Government was apprehending trouble.
Mirwaiz threw light on the philosophy of Eid and Hajj and said India and Pakistan can come closer only if Kashmir issue is resolved through meaningful dialogue.
Soon after the prayers people across Kashmir valley were busy in sacrificing sheep and goats. People were busy in distributing the meat of the sacrificial animals to neighbours and relatives.
Children in colourful dresses were seen visiting parks and other places, bursting crackers.
Tight security arrangements were made at all the venues for smooth and incident free celebrations. Despite tight security protests were reported at Baramulla, Palhalan and Sopore in North Kashmir and Nowhetta, Polo View in Srinagar and Shopian in South Kashmir.
Police sources said that at Palhalan a driver of Jammu and Kashmir Police who was carrying policemen from Srinagar to Sheeri was hit by a stone and he lost balance resulting in an accident in which the driver of the police bus, Kanwalnain Singh died and two other cops were injured.
Stone pelting incidents were reported form Nowhetta in Srinagar, Palhalan, Sopore and Baramulla in North Kashmir. However, police swung into action and dispersed the stone throwing protesters. At Shopian and Polo View Srinagar people protested peacefully after the prayers.
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