The stalemate over holding congregational Friday prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid continued for the 19th week with police and the Jamia Masjid Auqaf at loggerheads over the presence of security personnel at the Jamia gates and Nowhatta locality.According to wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), no congregational Friday prayers were held at the historic Masjid for the 19th straight Friday since August 5 as Anjuman-e-Auqaf Jamia Masjid alleged that security forces were deployed at Jamia gates and also at Nowhatta locality which prevents worshippers from proceeding towards Jamia Masjid.“Until, security forces are removed from all gates and Nowhata, there can’t be Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid,” said a senior Auqaf member, on the condition of anonymity.Locals of Nowhatta said that despite snowfall, security forces personnel could be spotted at Nowhatta and at the gates of Jamia masjid since morning. “Nobody could be seen proceeding towards Jamia Masjid for the 19th straight Friday. We are missing the aura and spirituality that the masjid offers to its worshippers,” said Aijaz Ahmed, a resident.However, police said that there were no curbs for holding congregational prayers. “We have conveyed to the Auqaf on the 15th week only that there were no curbs in holding prayers at the Jamia Masjid. We don’t know why Auqaf fails to hold prayers at the Jamia Masjid,” said a senior police official. (KNO)Article 370 fall-out: Kashmir’s backbone—tourism on crutches