Uneasy calm in Indian Kashmir on Islamic festival day

An uneasy calm is prevailing in Indian-administered Kashmir as people celebrate a major Islamic festival during an unprecedented crackdown after India moved to strip the region of its constitutional autonomy and imposed an indefinite curfew.

Kashmiri women shout slogans during a protest after the scrapping of Article 370 in Srinagar on Sunday.

All communications and the internet remained cut off for an eighth day on Monday.

News reports say authorities will allow Eid al-Adha prayers at neighbourhood mosques during the day but will not permit large congregations to avoid anti-India protests.

People shop at a market on the eve of Eid al Adha, in Jammu, India, Sunday.

The security lockdown appeared aimed at avoiding a backlash in India’s only Muslim-majority region where most people oppose Indian rule. The restrictions had been briefly eased on Friday for residents to attend mosque prayers, and people also were allowed to shop for the Eid festival on Saturday and Sunday.

Associated Press