Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, June 26: Eid-ul-Fitr was today celebrated across Kashmir with religious fervor as people thronged mosques and Eidgahs for prayers but dozens were injured in stone-pelting and clashes between protestors and security forces at several places in the Valley.
Muslims from all walks of life started making a beeline to Eidgahs and mosques for offering Eid prayers as a thanksgiving for the culmination of fasting month of Ramazan.
The biggest gathering was witnessed at Hazratbal where over 50,000 offered prayers. The second largest gathering was held at the Eidgah in the old city in which more than 40,000 people participated.
Bigger gatherings were also reported from several district headquarters and major towns of the Valley.
Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, joined hundreds of people to offer her Eid prayers at Ziyarat Hazrat Syed Sahib (RA), Sonwar in Srinagar. She prayed for peace, prosperity and wellbeing of the people on the occasion.
After offering her prayers, Mehbooba interacted with the people and extended Eid greetings to them. Later people in large numbers visited the Chief Minister at her residence and offered their Eid greetings. The Chief Minister wished them well and hoped that this Eid brings along limitless joy and happiness to the State and its people.
Those who visited the Chief Minister included Ministers, legislators, public representatives, Government functionaries, prominent citizens, political workers and common people.
Earlier, the Chief Minister visited Dara Shikoh Park at Bijbehara and offered special prayers at the grave of her father and former Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
Meanwhile, stone-pelting and clashes were reported from several parts of Kashmir after the prayers but overall the situation in the Valley remained peaceful.
In Srinagar, protesters clashed with security forces in Eidgah and Gaw Kadal areas. The protesters hurled stones on the security forces who fired tear smoke to disperse them.
Over a dozen protesters were injured in clashes with security forces in Sopore area of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Clashes erupted after security forces resorted to teargas shelling and pellet firing after scores of protesters tried to march towards the main chowk from Eidgah.
Some protesters pelted stones at the security forces deployed in the area. The security forces responded by pellet and teargas firing.
Around 10 protesters sustained pellet injuries and they were shifted to Sub-District Hospital Sopore for treatment.
Clashes were also reported from Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian and other areas of South Kashmir.
Five police officers, including a DySP, and several civilians were injured during clashes in Anantnag town of South Kashmir.
Clashes erupted between protesters and security forces at Janglat Mandi and Achajipora localities of the town after Eid prayers concluded at Hanfia and Ahli Hadith Eidgahs.
Five police officers including DySP Ashfaq Alam and DO Janglat Mandi Gowhar Ahmad were injured during the clashes. Several protesters were also injured in these clashes. Clashes have spread to Sherpora and Achabal Adda as well.
Clashes were also reported from several parts of Pulwama district during which around one dozen persons were injured.
The authorities have placed top separatist leaders, including Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, under house arrest, fearing that their presence at large Eid gatherings could spark violence.
JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik has been taken into preventive custody and lodged at Central Jail, Srinagar.
Mirwaiz, however, addressed people over phone in Eidgah. He spoke over the phone and shed light on the philosophy of Eid Ul Fitr. He also presented a memorandum on behalf of separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani and Mohammad Yasin Malik.
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