South Asia Human Rights Journalist Association

 Srinagar, November 9, 2019 : Restriction and shutdown affected life for the 99th consecutive day, today, across Kashmir in protest against abrogation of Article 35 A and 370 of the Indian constitution that conferred special status on the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.  Indian authorities imposed restrictions and prohibiting assemble of four or more persons, police said. for the first time in the history, Milad gathering was banned at the Kashmir’s revered shrine of Hazratbal in Srinagar on the Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAW), the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).Every year, thousands of people travel from far off districts of Kashmir to reach Hazratbal shrine on the 12th Rabi-ul-Awal for prayers and to have the glimpse of the holy relic of the Prophet (SAW). From the time immemorial, the holy relic was displayed after every prayer of the day on 12th Rabi-ul-Awal. However, this year, no gatherings were allowed at the shrine. The brutal act has hurt the religious sentiments of people of Kashmir, who have emotional and spiritual attachment with the shrine as it houses the holy relic of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The locals termed the move as direct interference in religious matters.

 In the meantime, religious functions were also disallowed in other shrines and major mosques of the Kashmir valley including the traditional congregational prayers at the shrine of Hazrat Naqshband Sahib in Khwajabazar area of Srinagar’s old city.  The gates of historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar continue to remain closed for devotees even on Eid Milad, today. A large number of personnel of Central Reserve Police Force are deployed outside the Jamia Masjid to prevent people from entering the mosque.
Meanwhile, uneasy calm prevails in the Kashmir valley and Muslim areas of Jammu region, where life remains affected on the 99th straight day, today, in protest against the scrapping of Kashmir’s special status and its bifurcation. There are restrictions on assembly of four or more persons while communication network, including prepaid phones and internet continue to remain suspended. Suspension of internet service even at so-called 'Media facilitation Centre' in Srinagar over the past few days has left media persons high and dry, as they are unable to file their reports and news stories without internet service, media reports said.
Meanwhile, all gates of historic Jamia Masjid in the down town remained closed for devotees on Friday, 8 Nov. The mosque was closed down on August 5 when the Jammu and Kashmir  was bifurcated into two union territories by the Modi government, without the approval of people of this worlds most militarized zone, imposed curfew and kept people in prison in their houses   
Pre-paid mobile service and internet service, including Broadband of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) also remained suspended for the past 98 days.
Shops and business establishments remained closed in this and other district and tehsil headquarters of south Kashmir , a report from south Kashmir Islamabad (Anantnag) said.  Complete shutdown also continued in south Kashmir district of Kulgam.
Life remained paralysed due to strike in this and other north Kashmir towns, a report from Baramulla said.
Similar reports were also received from central Kashmir districts of Ganderbal and Budgam, where business and other activities remained aralysed since August 5. 
Roads leading to Hazratbal Shrine sealed, normal life disrupted in Kashmir
The authorities also disallowed major Eid-Milad-un-Nabi processions celebrating the birthday of Prophet Mohammad on Sunday and no such gathering was allowed at the Hazratbal Shrine.
 Authorities on Sunday sealed all roads leading to the Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar and disallowed major Eid-Milad-un-Nabi processions celebrating the birthday of Prophet Mohammad  and no such gathering was allowed at the Hazratbal Shrine which houses the holy relic of the Prophet, they said
 efore this, all major religious functions were disallowed in Kashmir including the traditional Khoje-Digar prayers at the shrine of Hazrat Naqshband Sahib at Khojebazar area of Srinagar's old city 
The Friday congregational prayers have also been disallowed at the historic Jama Masjid Srinagar since August 5.
Normal life remained affected across the valley for the 99th day on Sunday .