Amid fear of a backlash over the amendments to the 1954 Presidential Order and a ban on the Jamaat-e-Islami, the authorities on Friday imposed restrictions in old Srinagar city.

Chairman of the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was put under house arrest by the authorities.

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday evening declared the Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir, an “unlawful” organisation. It is for the third time that the Jamaat, a politico-religious party, has been banned in the state. The Centre also extended two constitutional amendments on the recommendation of the Governor.

A police officer said restrictions were imposed in the old city to prevent protests. “It was a precautionary measure,” the officer said. All exit routes to the old city were sealed by security personnel. A heavy deployment of police and CRPF men in riot gear was made in other areas to ensure peace. Due to the restrictions, the Friday prayers were not held at Jamia Masjid in Srinagar.

“Not allowed to offer Friday prayers. #JamaMasjid locked down and restrictions in most city, while arrests continue and jamat e Islami declared “unlawful”. Dictatorship at its best,” Mirwaiz tweeted.

The authorities had also imposed restrictions in some areas of south Kashmir’s Anantnag town. Officials said steps were taken to maintain law and order in view of possible protests and violence against the ban on the Jamaat and the Union Cabinet’s amendment order.

The speed of the mobile internet was also reduced across Kashmir. Meanwhile, the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front staged a protest in Srinagar on the call of the joint resistance leadership against the ban on the Jamaat and the recent NIA raids on separatist leaders. — TNS

courtesy:The Tribune ,March 02,2019