Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, July 29: Eid-ul Fitr, marking the culmination of the Muslim Holy month of Ramadhan, was today celebrated across Kashmir with traditional fervour and gaiety but protests broke out over Gaza after the prayers in the morning leaving at least 20 people injured.
The biggest gathering was reported at Hazratbal Shrine on the banks of Dal Lake where Chief Minister Omar Abdullah joined over 50,000 people to offer Eid prayers
After prayers, Omar exchanged Eid greetings with the people at Hazratbal and wished them well being and prosperity. He received hundreds of visitors from all over the State who visited his residence to convey Eid greetings.
Those who visited the CM’s residence included Ministers, Parliament Members, Legislators, political activists, journalists, senior citizens and general people.
The second biggest Eid gathering was at Eidgah in the old city where nearly 40,000 people offered prayers. Large congregations were also witnessed at the Polo ground in Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla, Shopian, Kulgam, Budgam, and Ganderbal district headquarters.
People dressed in colourful clothes visited prayer grounds, Masjids and shrines across the Valley to offer the congregational Eid prayers in thanksgiving for the fasting month of Ramadhan, which ended last evening with the sighting of the Islamic month of Shawwal moon.
However, violent protests were reported in parts of the Valley soon after Eid prayers in which at least 20 people including police men were injured. The protests were held in solidarity with the people of Gaza where hundreds of persons have died in Israeli airstrikes and ground offensive over the past month.
The protesters started from Eidgah in old city area of Srinagar soon after the prayers. The protesters pelted stones on police and para-military CRPF and police fired dozens of tear smoke shells to disperse them. At least 17 people including some cops were injured in the clashes at several places in the old city. Scores of vehicle of the people who offered prayers at Eidgah were damaged in the clashes.
A group of protesters also reached Civil lines area including Maisuma but police chased them away.
Two persons including a Policeman were injured in stone pelting at Janglat Mandi in Anantnag town this morning. The injured are identified as Constable Adil Ahmad Mir ( Belt No- 384A) son of Gulam Hasan Mir resident of Shangus and a civilian Aabid Ahmad Thoker son of Abdul Rashid resident of Waghama, Bijbehara.
Aabid has been shifted to SKIMS, Srinagar in a critical condition while the injured policeman is being treated at district hospital Anantnag.
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