Srinagar, June 24: Hundreds of Shia Muslim mourners on Wednesday joined the Muharram procession in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar city as authorities made elaborate security arrangements for its smooth and peaceful conduct.
Black flags dotted the roads as volunteers set up stalls to provide refreshments to people participating in the procession, which began at Guru Bazar and culminated at Dalgate.
A large number of people dressed in black beat their chests to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet of Islam.
While volunteers at the refreshment stalls provided water and cold drinks to the mourners, the Health Department had set up makeshift camps along the procession route to provide medical assistance.
Mourners recited elegies in remembrance of the martyrs of Karbala.
The procession moved in an orderly manner through Budshah Chowk and Maulana Azad Road before reaching the Dalgate area.
To facilitate the movement of mourners, traffic officials put in place special traffic regulation measures, ensuring a traffic-free passage for the procession and providing alternative routes for commuters coming from outside the city.
Special parking arrangements were made for people joining the procession from Batmaloo and other areas located beyond the designated route.
No untoward incident was reported during the procession as senior civil and police officials remained present along the route.
Muharram processions were disallowed by the authorities after terrorism erupted in Kashmir in the 1990s. With the improvement in the overall security situation, the authorities have allowed the traditional procession during the last three years.
The traditional route has a history dating back to the pre-1990 period, when the procession was halted due to restrictions imposed during the militancy era. The procession resumed in 2023 and is being taken out along the same traditional route under the leadership of the Imam of the Hussaini Committee, Guru Bazar. It culminates at Dalgate.
The administration had granted permission for the procession subject to strict conditions, including a ban on provocative slogans, the use of drones, and adherence to a specified time frame.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, on Wednesday said elaborate arrangements had been put in place for the smooth and peaceful observance of the 8th Muharram across the Valley, with multiple government agencies working in coordination to ensure public safety and order.
Garg said the administration had deployed district teams, health personnel and police personnel along all procession routes on the directions of the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister.
“Peaceful observance of Muharram has been a part of our culture for centuries and has been revived in the last few years. I thank the people for their cooperation and appeal to them to respect the permissions granted by the district administration,” Garg said.
He said the Muharram period this year is longer, spanning around 45 to 50 days, and that detailed programmes had been finalised in consultation with various committees and stakeholders across all 10 districts where processions are being taken out.
“Our teams are available till evening and will remain deployed throughout the month. Quick response teams are also working on all procession routes,” he added.
