Austere celebrations: Under curfew, people in Srinagar mark Eid with simplicity

Leaders call for international assistance for flood-affected people

SRINAGAR: Even as the people of Kashmir have witnessed the worst violations of the ceasefire along the Line of Control since 2003 this month, those living here celebrated Eidul Azha, albeit in an austere manner. Despite restrictions in some parts of Srinagar, thousands offered prayers on the day and raised slogans in favour of Pakistan on Monday last week.

Fearing protests, the Indian authorities imposed a curfew in the city centre Lal Chowk and adjoining areas and chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Mohammad Yasin Malik was placed under arrest. Malik was due to offer Eid prayers in the city centre on the day.

“We had planned to assemble at Lal Chowk and offer Eid prayers,” Malik said. “We wanted to appeal to the international community to provide relief to the victims of the floods in Kashmir. However, the Indian authorities did not allow us to assemble for prayers and also imposed a curfew here.”

Pro-freedom leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq led the prayers in Srinagar’s Old City on the day and appealed to residents to mark the occasion with simplicity. “We Kashmiris will not give up,” he said.

Minutes after the Eid prayers, the Pakistan flag was hoisted outside the Eidgah and slogans raised against the Indian forces. Indian police used tear gas to control the protesters and many civilians were injured in the resulting skirmish.

Many families celebrated this Eid away from their homes, as they have been displaced by the floods. They stayed with relatives or took shelter in tents and makeshift homes. The flood-affected houses in Srinagar city have either collapsed or are severely damaged and unsafe to reside in.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 13^th, 2014.