Lockdown persists for 38th day
Mubashir Aalam Wani
Srinagar: For the first time in the holy month of Ramadan, the Masjids and shrines across Jammu and Kashmir witnessed no buzz with all the religious places remaining closed for over one month now in wake of deadly Coronavirus outbreak.
No mandatory congregational prayers were witnessed in any Masjid or shrine on the first Friday here, witnesses told news agency–Kashmir News Observer (KNO), adding that even Dargah Hazratbal and historic Jamia Masjid, which otherwise remain flooded with devotees remained closed today for prayers.
The authorities as well as the religious clerics have appealed people to offer prayers at home to prevent the deadly virus from spreading, which claimed eight lives so far and left 614 people infected.
The Masjids and shrines in other districts besides Srinagar also remained closed for the prayers. The religious places have been closed amid lockdown across India, called by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in wake of Coronavirus.
Unlike previous Fridays in Ramadan, no stalls were seen installed outside the Masjids and shrines as well as in the markets where people were usually seen buying essentials and Attar, Miswak, Cap and other things.
Witnesses said that the lockdown continued to remain in force for 38th straight day in Jammu and Kashmir with authorities continue to deploy police and paramilitary troopers on roads to enforce the lockdown strictly.
They said the large contingent of forces were deployed on ground, who had erected concertina wires and put temporary barricades on the roads at many places, thus thwarting the vehicular as well as pedestrians movement in the respective areas.
It is worth to mention here that 105 red zones have been declared by the government so far, where the entry and exit of people is strictly being restricted and monitored.
The markets across Jammu and Kashmir continued to wear deserted look while as the business establishments and educational institutions including Schools, Colleges and Universities remained closed in the Union Territory –(KNO)
