‘Nod to 10 Muharram procession after review meeting’
Srinagar, Jul 27: Amid tight security arrangements, 8th Muharram processions were taken out peacefully from traditional routes of Srinagar.
It was after more than three decades that the Lieutenant Governor Manooj sinha led administration decided to allow the Shia mourners to take out 8th Muharram procession through traditional routes.
Multi-layer security cover was provided to the mourners for the smooth conduct of the procession.
Reciting eulogies for Imam Hussain (AS), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his companions, mercilessly massacred in Karbala, mourners marched on traditional routes from Gurubazar quarter of the city towards Imambargah, Dalgate.
The administration had given only two hours for the procession to conclude commencing at 6 AM and concluding by 8 AM.
However, given the size of the procession, it continues after the set time.
Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar told reporters here, that a security review meeting was held in Srinagar Wednesday in which it was decided to allow the 8th Muharram procession through traditional routes.
“Officers and men were deployed on roads at 2 am to ensure peaceful conduct of the procession. The procession concludes peacefully,” he said.
Senior Superintendent of Police Srinagar Rakesh Balwal said that three tier security arrangements were put in place for peaceful conduct of 8th Muharram procession in the city.
Talking to reporters here, SSP Srinagar said that exhaustive security arrangements were made for the successful and peaceful conduct of the Muharram procession.
He said the people also cooperated and that they were thankful to them for carrying out the procession peacefully across the designated routes.
The SSP said that this is for the first time in 3 decades that Muharram procession was allowed in Srinagar and everything went smoothly.
“I would like to thank the people for extending their full cooperation in the peaceful conduct of the Muharram procession,” he said.
Meanwhile in a separate chat with Morning Kashmir’s Srinagar reporter Bisma, SSP said that he is very thankful to the Shia leaders for their cooperation.
When asked about the 10 Moharam mourning procession, the SSP said, “The review meeting will be held and whatever the decision would come , Police will accordingly follow that”.
Meanwhile Jammu and Kashmir police said that the 8th Muharram procession has been another historic day in the continued march towards peace and stability, showing the situation is at par with the days when normalcy was prevailing here.
In a statement, a spokesperson said that keeping in view sensitivity of the day, when the shadow of terrosrism and petty politics of separatism made it impossible to hold such events, the procession was not taken out for the last 33 years.
The statement reads that today when it was restarted after over three decades, it shows the resolve and commitment to a peaceful and prosperous future.
“The procession started at 6 am and culminated at 11 am. Our forces were on the ground from 4 am, while Naka and cut off points were placed by 5 am. Before people started the procession traffic management remained excellent since morning.”
It further reads that the gathering of more than 25000 people in the form of procession was fully disciplined and peaceful and well coordinated and is certainly another historic day for our people.
Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also said that for the first time Muharram procession was taken out peacefully in Srinagar after a gap of over 30 years.
Addressing the National Convention on Sufism: “a bridge between the communities”, at SKICC here, the LG said that for the first time in 30 years, the Muharram (8th) procession was taken out in Srinagar peacefully. “Feeling satisfied, mourners are now returning to their homes,” the LG said.
