Srinagar Dec 18: Authorities on Wednesday call-off forces deputed around the historical Jamia Masjid and threw its gates open for prayers.
At the occasion big size of people including members of Auqaf carried out the practice of ablution which was followed by Zuhr prayers.
According to news agency, after a gap of 136 days, the longest-ever siege of the history the authorities withdrew Police and CRPF personnel deployed around the boundaries of Jamia Masjid since August 5 and allowed people to allow prayers there.
It is pertinent to mention that a siege was tightened around the historical Jamia Masjid hours before on August 5 when New Delhi abrogated special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and demoted the erstwhile state of J&K into two Union Territories.
Eye witnesses told that on Wednesday morning forces personnel around the Jamia were bundled on vehicles and thus the Masjid was thrown open for prayers.
They added soon the forces personnel withdrew large number of people thronged inside the Masjid to take the stock of the situation.
“Besides elders, member of the Auqaf took stock of the situation inside the Masjid. They carried out the activity of ablution and purified the entire Masjid which remained closed from more than four months”, eye witness said.
They also said, “After a long spell of shutdown of Jamia, Zuhr prayers were witnessed on Wednesday in which big size of people participated”. (JKNS)
