Against the backdrop of the beef ban controversy in the state, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today hailed the people of Jammu and Kashmir for celebrating Eid-ul-Azha in the spirit of brotherhood and amity and said they had again demonstrated their "strong belief" in mutual co-existence.
"By observing Eid-ul-Azha with gaiety and religious fervour, the people have once again demonstrated their strong belief in mutual co-existence, which is the essence of the state's unique multi-culturalism," Sayeed told a large group of people, including the workers of PDP, who had called on him at his residence here to convey festive greetings.
Sayeed said J-K is a rare blend of different cultures, regions and religions and resolved to work for the overall development and prosperity of the state.
"The respect for each other runs deep in the veins of the people and that gives us strength to further cement the bonds of love and friendship that exist between various communities," he said.
There were apprehensions of law and order problems in the Valley on the occasion of Eid in view of a high court ruling directing police to strictly implement an 150-year-old law that bans slaughter of cows and sale of beef in the state.
Separatists and religious groups had slammed the court order saying it interferes with religious affairs and vowed to defy the ban.
Fearing trouble, authorities had snapped all internet services in the state from the morning of Eid on Friday. The services have not been resumed yet.
The situation in Kashmir Valley remained largely peaceful barring clashes between groups of youth and security forces at a few places.
The ban on internet services was today extended as a precautionary measure in view of apprehensions of misuse of the services by miscreants to create communal tension.
"The ban on internet services has been extended as a precautionary measure. The broadband services will now resume at 8 PM today while mobile internet services (will be again available) at 10 AM tomorrow," Inspector General of Police (Kashmir), SJM Gillani, told PTI.
