KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
A mass Friday congregation is planned in the Eidgah of North Kashmir’s Palhallan town today.
Local sources said that the senior citizens of the area had announced a few days back that people of Palhallan and its adjoining areas will offer mandatory Friday congregational prayers today in the Eidgah at Palhallan.
“Scores of youths – volunteers – are preparing for the mass congregation,” a local said, “however, some four police vans appeared in the town this morning directing people to go inside their respective homes as curfew was imposed.”
The local said that the volunteers were cleaning the Eidgah and raising banners with pro-freedom slogans inscribed on them.
One of the police van had a loudspeaker fixed at its top, the local said, “people were told to stay home.”
The sources, however, said, “locals showed defiance and counter announcements were made and people came out on roads.”
They said that people from Goshbugh, Yetipora, Wussan, Aglar, Palpora, Check and Ghat are supposed to attend the Friday prayers today.
“The forces fired tear gas shells,” they said, “and stone pelting started.”
The locals said that forces rushed through the area and left the Palhallan town from another route.
“Intense clashes erupted near Markazi Jamia Masjid while forces were pleaded not fire shells inside Mohallas as children get affected,” they said. “Azaadi taraanay are being played.”
