Kashmiris in Srinagar say they are barred from entering mosques for Friday prayers
Record ID:
1427372
Kashmiris in Srinagar say they are barred from entering mosques for Friday prayers
- Title: Kashmiris in Srinagar say they are barred from entering mosques for Friday prayers
- Date: 16th August 2019
- Summary: SRINAGAR, JAMMU AND KASHMIR, INDIA (AUGUST 16, 2019) (REUTERS) TRAFFIC ON CITY STREET CLOSED SHOPS ON STREET SPEAKERS ON JAMIA MASJID MOSQUE TOWER ARMOURED VEHICLE PARKED ON EMPTY STREET OUTSIDE JAMIA MASJID MOSQUE SOLDIER ON GUARD, POINTING A RIFLE FROM INSIDE ARMOURED VEHICLE (SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) SRINAGAR RESIDENT, BASHIR AHMED, SAYING: "This is Friday. They are not allowing us to enter the mosque and pray, which is why we are we facing a lot of problems. This is a matter of religion so they should not have done this." VARIOUS OF VEHICLES PASSING THROUGH ROAD CHECK (SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) SRINAGAR RESIDENT, BUSHEER AHMED, SAYING: "As of now, even we have been locked (in), everything is locked down. Whatever the government has done, it is not good. Everyone is under house arrest." PEOPLE WALKING BY ARMED POLICE OFFICER POLICE OFFICER WEARING HELMET LOOKING ON PEDESTRIANS WALKING PAST ARMED POLICE OFFICER
- Embargoed: 30th August 2019 07:43
- Keywords: Jammu and Kashmir Srinagar India Friday prayers lockdown security deserted roads closed shops
- Location: SRINAGAR, JAMMU AND KASHMIR, INDIA
- City: SRINAGAR, JAMMU AND KASHMIR, INDIA
- Country: India
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace
- Reuters ID: LVA001ASGU81Z
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Kashmir residents in Srinagar said they were being barred from entering mosques on Friday (August 16), as the Indian government continued its clampdown over the region.
Kashmir has been on lockdown for the past 12 day, with authorities cutting internet and phone links, setting up numerous roadblocks and detaining more than 500 local leaders and activists after stripping the Muslim majority region of its special status.
Jamia Masjid Mosque in Srinagar, the largest city in India's Jammu and Kashmir state, was seen shut on Friday morning, with an armed vehicle outside. Shops remained closed and many streets were noticeably empty.
"This is Friday. They are not allowing us to enter the mosque and pray, which is why we are we facing a lot of problems. This is a matter of religion so they should not have done this," Srinagar resident Bashir Ahmed said, ahead of weekly Friday prayers.
The Indian government's decision to revoke Kashmir of its special status has been met with controversy and shook its already fragile relationship with Pakistan, which cut trade and transport links and expelled India's envoy in retaliation.
Last Friday (August 9), Indian police used tear gas and pellets to disperse protesters in Srinagar.
(Production: Bushan Kumar, Sunil Kataria) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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