Srinagar: Despite of clashes between Indian security forces and anti-India demonstrators, thousands devotees swarm mosque and Eidgahs (Eid prayers ground) to offer Eid prayers across the Valley on Sunday here.
The largest congregations were witnessed at the Eidgha, Hazratbal shrine, Jamia Masjid, Janab Sahab Soura, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Kupwara, Baramulla, Badgam, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam and Anantnag towns of the Valley.
The biggest congregations were held at Eidgah and Hazratbal shrine where more than 30,000 people offered the prayers
Police fired tear gas and made baton charge Saturday to disperse demonstrators, after the protest broke out outside Eidgah (prayer grounds) in Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, after Eid-ul-Adha congregational prayers.
An eye witness Mohammad Zahid said that clashes broke out after police and paramilitary troopers tried to stop the demonstrators.”
The protesters shouting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans and hurled stones and brick pieces at the contingents of police and India’s Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
Police fired tear gas and made baton charge to disperse demonstrators. “We used tear gas to chase out the stone palters, our timely intervention prevented the situation from worsening,” said a police official asking anonymity.
In this process dozens of demonstrators wounded.
Every year, October 27 is observed by Kashmiris as Black Day, and Muslims all over the world express solidarity with the people of Kashmir.
Separatists are demanding an end to New Delhi’s rule in the region. A guerrilla war is also going on between militants and the Indian troops since 1989.
Authorities have placed separatist leaders including hardliner Syed Ali Geelani and moderate Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house arrest, fearing their participation in Eid prayers would trigger massive demonstrations.