India celebrates Eid, clashes mar fervour in J-K, Punjab

New Delhi, Sept 21 (PTI) Devout Muslims Monday offered
prayers on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr across India marking
the end of month-long Ramzan fasting, but the festivities in
Kashmir and Punjab were marred by clashes.

In Kashmir, trouble erupted soon after the Eid prayers
when supporters of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, chairman of the
hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference, tried to stage
demonstrations protesting his continued house arrest.

Police fired smoke shells and used batons to disperse
the stone-pelting protesters who fought pitched battles with
them in which scores were injured.

In neigbouring Punjab, infuriated by the lack of adequate
arrangements for prayers on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr and tight
security disallowing many to offer prayers at Id-Gah, a
section of Muslims resorted to sloganeering and disrupted
prayers and speech of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

In a freak incident in Bihar and West Bengal, hundreds of
women today turned up at hospitals with complaints of vomiting
and eruption of skin rash after they applied 'mehendi' on the
eve of the festival and authorities had to collect samples and
send them to laboratories for examination.

Across the country, the occasion was marked by lakhs of
Muslims dressed in their festive best greeting each other,
exchanging gifts and enjoying special sweet dishes,
particularly 'sewayian', made of vermicelli.

Faithfuls gathered at various mosques, including the
historic Jama Masjid in the national capital, to offer prayers
seeking peace, progress and prosperity. PTI TEAM