Srinagar : Authorities on Monday imposed restrictions in Shalimar and its adjoining areas to prevent Shia Muslim mourners from taking out 25th Muharram procession.
Restrictions under section 144 CrPc were imposed in Shalimar, Telbal, Arabal, Chandpora and Bagh-e-Zainab areas to foil any attempt by Shia mourners to organize or participate in 25th Muharram procession being organized at Arabal area every year.
All the entry and exit points leading to the main venue were sealed with razor wires and iron barricades while roads were dotted with police and paramilitary CRPF to curtail public movement.
It may be in place to mention that 25th Muharram procession in which mourners from different parts of India take part was disallowed as authorities after the abrogation of the special constitutional position of Jammu and Kashmir last year orders ban on assembly of people as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order.
However the administration this year also disallowed Muharram procession citing COVID-19 outbreak in Jammu and Kashmir. Meanwhile markets and other business establishments were closed in the vicinity while public transport was off the roads.
A senior police official from police station Harwan said the prohibitory orders on 25th Muharram procession was taken in view of sharp spike in COVID-19 cases. He said the assembly of people at this juncture will pose serious threat to the people.
