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Srinagar: The first Friday prayers in Srinagar since the Modi government decided to scrap the special status for Jammu and Kashmir is expected to be a muted affair, even at the historic Jama Masjid and Hazratbal shrine.

Although there has been no directive from the authorities decreeing people not to assemble for the Friday prayers, local residents remain apprehensive of congregating in view of the undeclared curfew and Section 144 imposed in the city.

Managing committees of major mosques are also making limited arrangements fearing low turnout for the prayers while smaller mosques await official communication.

“Usually over 2,000 people turn up to offer namaz but I don’t think more than 50 people will come here Friday. I say this based on the restrictions we saw today,” said Abdul Rashid, the imam of the Jama Masjid Hyderpora, which is close to the residence of Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

“We assume tomorrow it will be harsher,” he added.

Security agencies are cautious amid fears that the prayers could turn into violent demonstrations at the Jama Masjid where separatist leader Mirwaiz Maulvi Farooq gives sermons every Friday.

A few imams defiant

The imams of two other mosques, one near Lal Chowk and another in Barula area where Tehreek-e-Hurriyat leader Ashraf Sehrai lives, however, said they will not alter scheduled prayers unless officials tell them to.

“We will go ahead with the prayers,” said the imam of the Barula mosque. “We expect fewer people to come out as most will be directed by police to move towards local mosques and not major ones like this one. In any case, prayers will be offered.”

Another imam, on the condition of anonymity, said: “Friday prayers will depend if the khatib (preacher) manages to reach here. If he doesn’t, someone else will be asked to lead the prayers.”

Security officials said that Friday will be crucial in view of the situation. “Tomorrow will be crucial for us. If everything goes smoothly, authorities will start relaxing the curbs put in place so far,” a senior police officer told ThePrint.

The Friday prayers also come in the wake of violent protests witnessed in several areas of Srinagar as well as other districts Thursday. Police officials, however, haven’t confirmed the total number of protests or stone-pelting incidents that have taken place. Neither have they confirmed the casualties except for one at Palpora as reported by ThePrint earlier. Reporters were stopped from visiting southern parts of the Kashmir valley yet again Thursday.

Also read: Security forces say ready to handle violence along LoC, in Kashmir once restrictions ease

Mainstream politicians under lockdown

Local politicians, meanwhile, continue to remain under house arrest. While police officials refused to provide a count of how many people, including political workers, have been detained, ThePrint managed to reach the homes of three politicians whose residences are on Gupkar Road.

The road houses the who’s who of the political brass, bureaucracy and judiciary but was barricaded with security personnel allowing only individuals with curfew passes.

After being made to wait for 30 minutes, security personnel outside the residence of former J&K CM and current Srinagar MP Farooq Abdullah, said the senior politician was not allowed to meet anyone, especially journalists.

ThePrint also tried to reach the residence of Naeem Akhtar, former education minister in the BJP-PDP government but the police official posted at his gate said, “Sir is under house arrest and cannot meet anyone.”

CPI(M) leader and former Kulgam MLA M.Y. Tarigami’s personal staff also responded in the same way. “No one is being allowed to meet Tarigami. We too have been posted here continuously. We are practically living on potatoes,” said a police official.

Police also did not confirm the exact whereabouts of former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti as well as of People’s Conference chief Sajjad Lone, a former BJP ally.

“We can’t tell you that,” said an SP-level officer when asked if the trio were kept at Hari Niwas Palace located on Gupkar Road. The palace’s main gate was, however, not heavily guarded Thursday indicating that the trio may have been shifted from there.

Also read: Price of J&K shutdown: It took Twitter, neighbour & DC for wife to know of husband’s death

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