We respect religious sentiments, practices of all: IGP
Srinagar: Dozens of mourners were on Tuesday detained when they attempted to take out a procession on the seventh day of Islamic month of Muharram in Srinagar, where a number of roads were closed since early this morning.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir Range, K Vijay Kumar in a tweet said, “We #respect the religious #sentiments and practices of all but at the same time it is also our joint #responsibility to defeat the ill designs of vested interest who try to disturb #peaceful atmosphere”.
Muharram processions in Srinagar, including civil lines, are banned since 90s for security reasons. However, Muharram processions are being taken out in areas where Shia Sect of Muslims are residing, including central Kashmir district of Badgam. Thousands of mourners are participating in these processions for the past about a week.
Dozens of mourners in several groups, mostly wearing black cloths, appeared at Batmaloo and other places in the city raising religious slogans, including “Labaik ya Hussain” . However, police personnel deployed in strength since this morning immediately swung into action and resorted to lathicharge. Dozens of mourners were later bundled into waiting police vehicles and taken to concern police station. Similar scenes were also witnessed at other places in the city.
Security forces have closed several roads, including at Barbarshah, Gaw Kadal, Exchange road leading to UNI office, Fateh Kadal, Baba demb.
All roads leading to Imambara at Dalgate have also been closed. Nobody was being allowed to enter the area.
Situation elsewhere in the city, including historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the city, Budshah Chowk and other business hubs was normal and traffic was also plying normally.
The administration had announced to allow Muharram processions in the civil lines and other parts of Srinagar this time. However, the Shia organizations and leaders questioned the timing of allowing Muharram procession at time when no congregational prayers are being allowed in historic Jamia Masjid, Assar-e-Sharief Hazratbal, which houses the Holy Relic of Prophet Muhammad and other worship places in the valley.
Later, the Union Administration issued a fresh order said that maximum number of people permitted to attend any indoor or outdoor gathering shall be restricted to 25 persons only. (UNI)
