J&K Celebrates First Eid After Revocation Of Special Status And Amid Massive Security Arrangements

Meanwhile, a security alert has been issued in Kashmir Valley ahead of Independence Day celebrations on August 15, citing a possible Pakistan-based terror attack.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration said it has taken all necessary measures to ensure an adequate supply of necessities to help locals today as the valley is set to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha. (ANI)

New Delhi: Amid massive security arrangements, Jammu and Kashmir on Monday marked its first Eid after the revocation of its special status, even as the state administration held a meeting with local clerics to oversee prayer arrangements and ensure peaceful celebrations. The Jammu and Kashmir administration said it has taken all necessary measures to ensure an adequate supply of necessities to help locals today. A top government official said people will be allowed to visit neighbourhood mosques to offer prayers during the Eid and enjoy the festival on Monday. The J&K administration has also decided to open 300 special telephone booths to help people in the Valley communicate with their relatives. While the banks, ATMS and several markets will also remain open today. Meanwhile, a security alert has been issued in Kashmir Valley ahead of Independence Day celebrations on August 15, citing a possible Pakistan-based terror attack. On Sunday, the restrictions were eased and the people were allowed to come out to shop. According to the officials, there were no report of violence anywhere in Kashmir, however, Section 144 continues to remain imposed in certain sensitive areas. The usual hustle and bustle of the Eid-ul-Azha festival was missing in the Valley where normal life has been paralysed following heavy security deployment, restrictions on movement and curtailing of communication links after the abrogation of special status to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 on August 5. However, normalcy was fast returning in most of the Jammu region where restrictions under section 144 CrPc have been completely lifted in five districts. In the other five districts, restrictions have been relaxed to facilitate Eid preparations, officials said.

UDHAMPUR: Earlier visuals of people visiting markets on the eve of #EidAlAdha after restrictions under 144 were lifted from the district. #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/MTtxRwdMnz

— ANI (@ANI) August 11, 2019

Here are top developments from Kashmir Valley: • Ahead of Eid-ul Azha, banks, ATMs and quite a few markets remained open on Sunday in Kashmir and restrictions were eased allowing people to come out to shop, while residents would be permitted to offer prayers in neighbourhoods mosques on the festival, officials said. • There has been no report of violence anywhere in Kashmir, the officials said. • Six 'mandies' and markets were established in Srinagar city while 2.5 lakh sheep have been made available for public for sacrifice on Eid-ul-Azha on Monday. Also Watch | Kashmir shinning bright right before Eid • The authorities have also deployed mobile vans for door to door delivery of vegetables, LPG cylinders, poultry and eggs, officials said. • The district administrations are constantly reviewing the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, and they will facilitate people to offer prayers in mosques during Eid, reported PTI. • Authorities said elaborate arrangements have been made for the safe and hassle-free returns of Hajis from Saudi Arabia, for which flights will commence on August 18. • The government has also stocked sufficient amount of various essential items. Wheat has been stocked to suffice for 65 days, rice for 55 days, mutton for 17 days, poultry for one month, kerosene for 35 days, LPG for one month, and diesel and petrol for 28 days. • All health institutions at primary, secondary and tertiary level in Kashmir division are functioning fully with sufficient number of doctors and para-medical staff on duty. • Flights are operating as per the schedule and air tickets too are being treated as movement passes. Also Watch | Know entire story of Jammu and Kashmir • Various municipal corporations and other civic bodies in the valley too have taken additional steps to ensure complete cleanliness and sanitation in their respective areas. • To ensure round the clock power supply and its immediate restoration following faults and breakdowns, sufficient staffers have been deployed in various power utilities, officials said, adding adequate transmission cables and transformers are there in the stock to meet any contingency. • The government has also deployed liaison officers in various places in the country, including Aligarh and New Delhi, to help students hailing from Kashmir and pursuing their studies outside the Valley, to celebrate Eid and communicate to their family members in the Valley. • District Magistrate Kishtwar, Angrez Singh Rana, eased the curfew in Kishtwar from 8:00 am but night curfew will remain from 9 pm to 4 am. • Officials said several shops and business establishments remained open in the district and people in large numbers thronged the markets to buy essentials commodities in a peaceful environment ahead of Eid -Festival. (With inputs from PTI)