Kashmir celebrates Eid-ul-Fitr with fervour

Srinagar

Muslims from all walks of life started making a beeline to the Eidgah (prayer ground) or a mosque for offering the Eid prayers as a thanksgiving for the month-long fasting.

Ramzan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is observed as a fasting period by Muslims the world over who abstain from food and water during the period extending from 30 minutes before the sunrise to sunset.

The biggest gathering of Eid prayers was witnessed at Hazratbal shrine where more than 50,000 faithful offered the Eid prayers, officials said.

The second largest gathering was held at Eidgah in the old city where more than 40,000 people offered prayers.

Big gatherings of Eid prayers were also reported at TRC and Polo ground in the heart of the city and other shrines of the city, they said, adding similar gatherings were held at all districts headquarters and major towns of the Valley.

Barring few incidents of stone-pelting after the prayers, the situation in the Valley remained peaceful.

Six persons including two policemen - an additional Superintendent of Police and a constable - were injured in the clashes between protesters and law enforcing agencies at various places in the Valley.

The authorities had placed top separatist leaders, including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik under house arrest, fearing their presence at large Eid gatherings could spark violence, the officials said.