No Eid congregational prayers to be allowed in Kashmir

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has decided not to allow Eid-ul-Adha congregational prayers in wake of the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Srinagar:The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday said that it will not allow Eid-ul-Adha congregational prayers in view of Covid-19 amid the apprehensions about the third wave. Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole on Sunday said that no congregational prayers will be allowed on Eid-ul-Adha in the Kashmir valley given the prediction of Covid-19 third wave. Talking to ETV Bharat, Commissioner Pole said that the prayers will not be allowed "according to the SOP and alert warning on the third wave."

The official said that as per COVID SOPs the limited number of people allowed in any sort of gathering is just 25, but it will be difficult to limit the number to 25 if congregational prayers are allowed. "The prayers will be allowed in a decentralised way like it was allowed on Eid-ul-Fitr during the peak of Covid-19 second wave," he said.

Pole said that considering the damage caused by the third wave of Covid-19 in other countries, everyone should follow the guidelines and precautions strictly on the occasion of the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha concerning the COVID-19.

Read:|IMA asks Kerala to withdraw order easing Covid restrictions ahead of Eid-ul-Azha

The third wave of Covid-19 has become a reality in other countries and following which the government of India has also taken steps against it and people have to follow them, he said.

Kashmir Police Inspector General Vijay Kumar also urged people to celebrate Eid inside homes and follow strictly the covid protocol. "IGP Kashmir has appealed to the people of Kashmir to strictly follow government SOPs and necessary health protocols on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha. He has also appealed to the religious leaders and senior citizens to guide masses in celebrating this Eid at home," tweeted Kashmir Police Zone from its official Twitter handle.

Since August 5, 2019, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has not permitted large religious gatherings in the Kashmir region.

Read:|Jammu and Kashmir: Ban on holding large gatherings for Eid prayers

First, the administration imposed restrictions from August 2019 and then during the two subsequent lockdowns to prevent the spread of Covid-19 religious congregations have been banned in the Union Territory.

Read:|India to sight Eid ul-Adha crescent tonight