Srinagar: After more than three decades since the outbreak of militancy, the Shia community on Thursday took out a Muharram procession on a traditional route in Srinagar passing through the city centre area, with hundreds of people participating in it amid tight security.
The administration had on Wednesday permitted a two-hour window – from 6 am to 8 am – for the procession. However, the procession peacefully culminated around 10: 30 am at Imambara Dalgate.
The permission was granted following a series of meetings with the representatives of the Shia community and assurances from the latter that the event will begin and culminate peacefully.
The administration had granted only two hour permission from 6 am to 8 am for the procession along the traditional route from Guru Bazar to Imambara Dalgate.
Mourners, officials said, assembled at the Guru Bazar area in the city at 5 am and started marching towards Imambara Dalgate around 6 am amid brief pauses.
Pertinently, the representatives of various Shia organizations had assured the authorities that no “provocative” slogans will be shouted or any flag other than black flags will be carried by the mourners.
Draped in black dresses, the mourners, reciting elegies to Imam Hussain (AS), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), were wailing and beating their chests all the way to commemorate martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) and his 72 companions in the Battle of Karbala.
Stalls offering water and juices were set up on both sides of the roads at many places all the way from Guru Bazar to Dalgate.
While the mourners comprised mostly people from the Shia community, but people from other faiths were also seen in the processions, paying homage to the martyrs of Karbala.
Elaborate security arrangements were put in place by the administration with additional deployment of police and paramilitary forces on roads to ensure that the procession culminated peacefully.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, Rakesh Balwal, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Ajaz Assad besides several senior officials of police and civil administrations were seen offering refreshments to the mourners.
Talking to the reporters SSP Srinagar said today’s Muharram procession culminated peacefully with the cooperation of the people, and that the decision on 10th Muharram procession will be taken accordingly.
Regarding security, Balwal said elaborate arrangements were put in place to make sure that no untoward incident takes place. “We are grateful to the people and members of Shia community for their cooperation, the decision on 10th Muharram procession in Srinagar will be taken accordingly,” the SSP Srinagar told the media.
Srinagar Deputy Commissioner Aijaz Asad said the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) gave a message of peace and harmony, justice and equality and the way people cooperated was highly appreciative.
“It’s a dividend of peace,” the Deputy Commissioner said, thanking security agencies as well as local volunteers for their assistance.
Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Kashmir, Vijay Kumar told reporters that a three-tier security arrangement has been provided.
This is the first time in more than 30 years that the procession on the 8th day of Muharram has been allowed on the route.
“There was a demand from the Shia community for the past few years that this procession be allowed. After the government took a decision, we made adequate security arrangements for it,” he told reporters.
On Wednesday, Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir V K Bhiduri had said the procession was not allowed for the past 32-33 years.
The administration’s decision to allow the procession is a “historic step”, the official had said. He had also said that the peaceful culmination of the programme will help the administration take similar decisions on other issues.
