Shutdown in Srinagar parts on second consecutive Friday against blasphemous remarks

Srinagar June 17(PTK) A spontaneous shutdown was observed in Srinagar parts for second consecutive Friday over the blasphemous remarks by two now-suspended BJP leaders against Prophet Mohammed.

The markets and business establishments remained shut in Srinagar city, public transport was off the roads. Similar reports were received from other parts of the Valley. However, government offices and schools functioned normally.

Authorities had deployed security forces in strength in sensitive places of Srinagar and elsewhere in the Valley to maintain law and order, officials said

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in a statement condemning the repeated closure of the Jamia said, “Anti-Kashmir and anti-Muslim measures are a hallmark of the Central rule.”

Pertinently Hurriyat lead by Mirwaiz had said “Deliberately hurting the sentiments of Muslims across the world, including in J&K, to appease their constituency across India, these people by using derogatory language against Islam and the holy Prophet pronounce their hatred and wear it like a badge on their sleeve,” he alleged.

The communally sensitive towns of Bhaderwah and Kishtwar in Jammu region, authorities imposed curfew last Friday after attempts were made to aggravate communal tensions over some social media posts, reports said. Protests were held by the Muslim community after some controversial posts went viral on social media.

There were no reports of any untoward incident in the Valley so far. (PTK)