Post modification of Article 370, Eid-ul-Zuha celebrations affected in J&K

Despite several assurances by the central government stating that the Eid-ul-Zuha celebrations would not be affected in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, traders dealing with sacrificial animals are witnessing a lull in the market, with barely any sales so far.

Jammu and Kashmir: With the modification of Article 370 - granting special status to Jammu and Kashmir- and the bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories, Eid-ul-Zuha celebrations, scheduled to be observed on August 12, have been badly hit.

Although the curfew imposed in the Union Territory of J&K was lifted for three days from Jammu, restrictions remained in place in Muslim dominated areas, affecting the sale of sacrificial animals, an essential part of Eid-ul-Zuha.

This, despite several assurances from the central government including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had claimed on Thursday, "People will not face any difficulty in celebrating Eid. Slowly, things will get back to normal."

Prohibitory orders under CrPC Section 144 were lifted in Jammu and curfew was relaxed in Doda and Kishtwar areas on Friday, paving the way for the resumption of normal activities in the Valley.

The situation in Kathua, Samba and Udhampur areas was largely normal and most of the educational institutions there reopened on Friday.

Restrictions, however, continued to be in place in Poonch, Rajouri and Ramban districts, said officials.