Srinagar: Kashmir observed a quiet Eid-ul-Adha on Saturday due to the restrictions in parts of the Valley. People also appeared in no mood to celebrate the occasion due to the pandemic.
No major Eid congregations were held in any major mosque in Srinagar or any other part of the Valley due to the restrictions imposed by the authorities. Locals, however, offered prayers in small groups at mosques and observed social distancing in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The police and Central Armed Police Force personnel were deployed in strength in Srinagar to restrict the movement of the people.
Announcements were made in the morning on public address systems, appealing people not to gather for the Eid prayers as the threat of coronavirus was still there. The streets wore a deserted look.
A police official said the situation remained peaceful during the day and there was no report of any violence.
The mandatory religious ritual of animal sacrifices was carried out at many places. Officials said a large number of sheep and goats were sacrificed across the Valley. This year the sale of sacrificial animals was minimal due to the coronavirus lockdown.
Jammu: The Eid celebrations remained a low-key affair in Jammu amid the weekend lockdown and Covid-19 fears as no prayers were offered at any major mosques in the region on Saturday.
Security personnel enforced strict restrictions in different parts of the region to prevent the free movement of people in view of the weekend lockdown.
Adhering to the guidelines, a large number of Muslims preferred to offer Eid prayers at their homes, either individually or in small groups. Many, however, said that the administration should have allowed congregational prayers at mosques while maintaining social distancing.
The Jammu and Kashmir Government has extended the Covid-19 lockdown guidelines in J&K till August 5. (TNS)