A massive procession was taken out in a peaceful manner by Shia Muslims in Srinagar on Wednesday morning to mark the the 8th day of Muharram. Thousands of members of the Shia community in Kashmir took part in the procession amidst tight security arrangements.
Senior civil and police officials on Wednesday praised mourners, volunteers and organisers for the peaceful conduct of the 8th Muharram procession in Srinagar and appealed for continued public cooperation to ensure the smooth observance of remaining Muharram events across Kashmir.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir VK Birdi and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar Dr GV Sundeep Chakravarthy reviewed arrangements during the procession and said extensive measures had been put in place to facilitate mourners and maintain law and order.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the procession, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg said comprehensive arrangements had been made by the administration to ensure the smooth and peaceful conduct of Muharram observances. said helping teams, including Quick Response Teams (QRTs), had been deployed along procession routes to provide assistance and respond promptly to any requirement during the events.
However, commuters faced difficulties due to restrictions on the movement of traffic in some parts of the city.This is the fourth consecutive year that the administration allowed the Muharram procession to be taken out on the traditional route through the heart of the city here.The procession began from Guru Bazar locality in the city early in the day and passed through the designated route via Jehangir Chowk and Maulana Azad Road. It would culminate at Dalgate.
Thousands of mourners assembled at Guru Bazar early Wednesday as the authorities had granted a limited time window for the procession so that normal life does not get affected.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 procession was banned after the eruption of militancy in Kashmir as authorities were apprehensive that separatists might misuse the large gathering for ulterior motives.Senior officers of the police and civil administration joined the procession at Lal Chowk as a gesture of unity and service.
Special Director General of Police, Coordination, SJM Gillani, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, V K Birdi, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Anshul Garg and other senior officers from the police and the CRPF also served water and juices to the mourners. According to Birdi, the peaceful conduct of the procession was made possible through close coordination between the police, volunteers and organisers.Paying tribute to Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions, the IGP said their sacrifice carried a timeless message of humanity, duty, sacrifice and tolerance
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