Srinagar: Amid heightened security measures, a large number of Shia mourners took out Muharram procession in Srinagar earlier Friday. The procession commenced from Guru Bazar and concluded at Dalgate, officials said.
The city centre procession, traditionally held on the 8th of Muharram, marks its third consecutive year of being permitted by the Jammu and Kashmir administration in Srinagar’s city centre.
The mourners carrying religious banners and raising religious slogans passed through the heart of the city.
Kashmir’s Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri said this is the third consecutive year when Muharram procession is being allowed on the traditional route.
“The district administration has made all necessary arrangements for the mourners. Police arrangements have been made keeping safety in mind… I urge everyone to keep the procession limited to its religious significance…,” he told reporters in Srinagar.
Senior officers of the police and civil administration joined the procession at Lal Chowk as a symbolic gesture of unity and service.
Speaking to reporters, the IGP Kashmir said police and civil administration have made proper arrangements, including security-related, for the eighth day of Muharram to ensure that the mourners do not face any problems.
“There are stringent security arrangements. Also, as the procession is taking place in the main area (of the city), traffic advisories have been issued so that there is no inconvenience to commuters,” he said.
On the preparation for the tenth day of Muhurram, Birdi said all security and traffic arrangements will be made for the mourners and the public.
To a question about the ongoing annual Amarnath yatra, he said police and other security forces have made multi-layered security arrangements and the pilgrimage is going on smoothly.
The divisional commissioner, Kashmir, urged the mourners to maintain peace.
“This is the third consecutive year when Muharram procession was allowed in the heart of the city. The district administration has made all necessary arrangements for the mourners. Arrangements have been made keeping safety and security in mind.
“I am happy that the procession has been taken out with its purpose kept in. I urge everyone to keep the procession limited to its religious significance and proceed peacefully,” Bhiduri said.
The traffic department had issued an advisory to residents of the city on the routes to be followed during the Muharram procession, the officials said.
At several places, volunteers were seen offering water to the processionists, while water sprinklers were also used at some places to provide relief from the heat.
The eight day of mourning is a significant day of mourning for Shias in Kashmir.
The procession was banned after the eruption of militancy in Kashmir as authorities were apprehensive that separatists might misuse the large gathering for ulterior motives. (Agencies)
Today’s procession was led by Molvi Masroor Abbas Ansari.
“The Muharram procession was not allowed on its traditional route for 35 years. We will ensure that nothing is done that could lead to it being banned again,” Ansari told SSP Srinagar Sundeep Chakravarthy during the procession.
Thousands Of Mourners Take Out 8th Muharram Procession In City
