JK celebrates Eid without internet

Several people, including policemen were injured, as violence erupted after Eid prayers at many places in Kashmir against the beef ban issue on Friday. The day also witnessed blocking of Internet in the state, with police contending that it was done to prevent “misuse” of social media.

Protesters are angered by the arrest of four religious and separatist leaders, and a 40-hour ban on internet services.

Tensions in Kashmir, territory claimed by both Pakistan and India, have been high since an Indian court recently upheld a 1932 law prohibiting the slaughter of cows, regarded by Hindus as a scared animal, although the law has never been seriously enforced.

Reports said a few people waived Pakistani flags during the clashes in the volatile Rajouri Kadal, Nowhatta and Eidgah areas of the old city. “Yes, we have decided to block internet services from Friday morning to maintain law and order”, Gilani told Kashmir Reader.

The beef ban controversy has come as a major dampener for the people of muslim majority state.

Following instructions from police, internet service providers snapped 3G, 2G, GPRS and broadband services around 5 am.

The separatist leaders placed under house arrest include Syed Ali Geelani, Shabir Shah, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Nayeem Khan and Javed Mir.

Eid was celebrated with gaiety in Jammu region also with members of other communities exchanging greetings with Muslims on the occasion. Still, hundreds participated in protest processions in Anantnag, Srinagar and Baramullah districts immediately after the Eid prayers.

This was the first time in over two decades that there were no pro-Azadi slogans during Eid rallies in Jammu.

The order was met with anguish and resentment in Kashmir with civil society groups and the Hurriyat people terming it as “interference in religion”.