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No Friday congregations in valley as lockdown on for 16th day

MAJID NABI. Dated: 4/4/2020 1:06:48 AM

SRINAGAR, Apr 3: All shrines and mosques remained closed for congregational Friday prayers in Kashmir valley even as the restrictions under section 144 CrPC continues to remain in force for 16th consecutive day today.
People offered Friday prayers inside their homes as mosques and shrines across valley remained closed after the administration urged people to refrain from participating in religious congregations following outbreak of deadly epidemic.
All major shrines and mosques including Dargah Hazratbal which house holy relic of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), central Jamia Masjid Nowhatta, Asar-e-Shareef Kalashpora, Janab Sahab Soura, Peer Dastgeer Sahab (r.a) Khanyar, Makhdoom Sahab (r.a), and Charar-e-Shareef shrine besides all mosques were closed for congregational prayers in Kashmir.
Restrictions were first imposed in parts of the valley on March 20 to contain the spread Corona-Virus. The measures were taken after a 67-year-old woman from the Khayyam area of the city, who had returned from Saudi Arabia on March 16 after performing Umrah, tested positive for COVID-19
Valleys religious clerics have also appealed people to stay indoors and even offer Friday prayers at their homes till the threat of Corona-Virus subsides.
Roads across valley including Srinagar remained dotted with contingents of police and paramilitary forces to check the movement of people. Markets across the valley were shut and public transport was off the roads with only pharmacies and groceries allowed to move.
Meanwhile, at least ten persons were arrested by the police in Srinagar for defying restrictions imposed to prevent Corona-Virus from spreading further.
Police has registered two cases against ten people who were found involved in violating government orders. Formal cases FIR No. 41 and 42/2020 under sections 188,296 IPC were registered at police station Nageen in this regard.
In Srinagar police cautioned people against violating government orders and asked them to stay indoors till April 14 “please stay indoors for your own safety and that of your family,” messages were being relayed through public address system fitted on police vehicles.
Government has already ordered closure of all educational institutions, clubs, pubs, gardens, hotels, restaurants, health spas, indoor and outdoor stadiums in Kashmir as a precautionary measure to prevent Novel virus from spreading.
Train services from Banihal to Baramulla axis continue to remain closed following government lockdown in the valley amidst potential threat of COVID-19.
Reports reaching here from other parts of the valley including north, south and central Kashmir suggested that a total lockdown was witnessed in these districts and people stayed indoors to avoid getting contracted with Corona Virus.