Kashmir’s grand
mosque in Nowhatta Srinagar remained closed for Friday prayers while
authorities imposed restrictions in old city areas of Srinagar. Mirwaiz Umar
Farooq, chief cleric, was put under
house detention by the government.Locals told KNO that a large force deployment
was witnessed on the old city roads and concertina wires were erected to block roads. The restrictions imposed
hampered peoples movement in the area. Authorities sealed historic Jamia Masjid
and congregation prayers were not held. Mirwaiz, who delivers the sermon in the grand mosque, was
put under house detention at his residence in Nigeen area of Hazratbal. Mobile
internet was suspended by authorities in summer
capital of the state, Srinagar since Friday morning. Officials said that
the move to impose restrictions in old city was done as a preventive measure to
thwart any pro freedom protests and to
control law and order situation. Old City, usually referred as Downtown is a
volatile area and a bastion of Mirwaiz supporters who leads a faction of
Hurriyat Conference and is part of Joint
Resistance Leadership.(KNO)