Streets in Jammu and Kashmir wore a deserted look on Monday as it marked its first Eid after the revocation of its special status amid massive security arrangements.

Prohibitory orders are still in force in Srinagar with large groups of people not being allowed to assemble and traffic restrictions put in place.

Eid prayers were held in smaller mosques in neighbourhoods.

On Sunday, a meeting was held between clerics and the Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Baseer Khan, Inspector General of Police (Kashmir) Swayam Prakash Pani and Srinagar District Magistrate Shahid Choudhary to ensure a peaceful and smooth Eid.

Choudhary, who visited some of the mosques and grounds where prayers will be offered, said he was trying to reduce inconvenience and ease facilities.

Over 250 ATMs have been made functional in Srinagar and bank branches are also open.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration had eased the prohibitory orders in Kashmir Valley for the past few days for the people to make purchases for Eid.

“The situation in the state has remained normal so far. No untoward incident has been reported from anywhere so far,” said a tweet by the official handle of the J-K Police on Sunday.

Meanwhile, restrictions returned as sporadic clashes took place in Srinagar after security was eased on Saturday.

Panic gripped residents of the Mendhar town along the Line of Control (LOC) in Poonch district where miscreants on Saturday night set on fire some vehicles belonging to a particular community.

The incident is being seen as a fallout of abrogation of Article 370 and splitting the state into two union territories.

Some residents of the town alleged that the incident of arson was the handiwork of supporters of the Hurriyat Conference and other separatists who have opposed Modi government’s step. They demanded deployment of Army in the area to protect them from the miscreants.

In the valley, people thronged the market places during the six hours of relaxation provided for purchases before Eid-al-Adha also known as Bakr Eid.

Special and elaborate arrangements have been made for the safe and hassle-free return of Hajis from Saudi Arabia, for which flights will commence on August 18. All Deputy Commissioners have nominated their Nodal Officers, who will be stationed at the airports from August 18 for the convenience of the Haji Sahiban. Special helpLine desks will be established at the airports and at Hajj House for the convenience of Hajis.

For Eid preparation, all provision, bakery, sweet, poultry, and mutton shops will remain open and cater to people’s demands.

In his speech to the nation on August 9 post the revocation of Article 370, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured that the people of the state would not face any trouble in celebrating Eid and that the situation in the valley will return to normal gradually.

Jammu and Kashmir has been under lockdown since the government on August 5 abrogated Article 370 and has divided the state into two union territories.

The decision of the Modi government was celebrated in Jammu and Ladakh but it had created tensions in the Kashmir valley.

Meanwhile, schools reopened in Jammu on Saturday as restrictions under the Section 144 were on Friday lifted from the district where no untoward incident has been reported.