Friday prayers in Srinagar's Jamia Masjid after 19 weeks

Friday prayers were offered in the historic Jamia Masjid here after 19 weeks since the present turmoil gripped Jammu and Kashmir after the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani.

Authorities allowed congregational Friday prayers at the Jamia Masjid in the old city Nowhatta area. The ongoing unrest started on July 9 after the security forces gunned down Burhan Wani on July 8.

Traditionally, the Friday sermon is delivered by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq at Jamia Masjid but the Mirwaiz could not attend today's (Friday) congregation as the authorities had placed him under house arrest in his uptown Nigeen residence in Srinagar.

Immediately after the Friday prayers ended, clashes broke out in Nowhatta and adjacent areas in the old city as youths resorted to heavy stone pelting at the security forces.

Security forces used tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters who kept on re-grouping from lanes and by-lanes of the densely populated old city areas.

Police said no protester or security personnel suffered any serious injury during these clashes.

--IANS

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