Historic Jamia Masjid reopens after three days

Srinagar, July 9: The historic Jamia Masjid in the down town Srinagar, reopened after remaining closed for the third day as a precautionary measure to prevent any protests as separatists had called for a general strike on Saturday and Sunday.

The separatists had given strike call on Sunday on second death anniversary of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Burhan Wani who was killed in an encounter by security forces on July 8, 2016 in Anantnag.

The separatists had earlier called for a strike on Saturday against shifting of Dukhtaran-e-Milat (DeM) chief Asiya Andrabi and her two associates to New Delhi on Friday by National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with alleged anti-national activities.

Apprehending trouble after DeM chief was shifted to Delhi, no Friday prayer was allowed in the Masjid, stronghold of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, who has been put under house arrest since early Friday morning.

All gates of the historic worship place are open and security forces and state police personnel who were deployed there have been withdrawn from the area, including Jamia Market.

Meanwhile, all roads leading to Jamia Masjid, including at Rajouri Kadal, Rangar Stop and Gojwara which were closed with barbed wire, are open.