Jammu and Kashmir to shut net on Eid-ul-Zuha for peace

SRINAGAR: The government has made elaborate security arrangements to scuttle any protest or political gathering on Eid-ul-Zuha in the wake of the beef ban that has snowballed into a political controversy in Jammu and Kashmir. Internet services are likely to be shut down from Friday morning as a precautionary measure, police officials said.

Circulation of videos and photographs of animal sacrifice as part of the Eid celebrations could trigger violence in the state, they said. Separatists including Syed Ali Geelani, Shabir Shah and Yaseen Malik have been detained and scores of activists have been arrested. "We have not taken any decision on shutting down of internet services yet," director general of police K Rajendra Kumar told ET. "We are again holding a meeting this (Thursday) evening. However, as routine exercise, security has been beefed up to ensure peaceful Eid celebrations."

In some parts of Rajouri, police arrested a few persons along with sacrificial animals in view of threats of the VHP.