Srinagar: The J&K Administration today addressed the long pending demand of Shia brethren by allowing the 8th Muharram procession on traditional route from Guru Bazar to Dalgate after three decades.
“While taking the religious sentiments of Shia brethren into consideration, the administration decided to allow the procession tomorrow”, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri said today.
“I congratulate Shia brethren and Kashmiri public who are known for their affection”, he said and added that it is due to their contribution to the present peaceful environment which made it convenient for the administration to take this historic decision.
The administration after several round of talks with Shia Muslim community representatives of all groups and local committee of Gurubazar has got assurances from all stakeholders that the sacred religious event would be conducted and culminated peacefully.
Accordingly, all security arrangements would be put in place and the general public especially members of the Shia community are informed that no one shall be allowed to take out any other procession individually or collectively on the route except the one to be taken out from Gurubazar which has the permission from the administration, he said.
Anyone violating the orders shall be very strictly dealt with as per law, he said.
However, he said that the timing for the procession shall be from 6 Am to 8 Am in the morning considering it is a working day tomorrow, and to avoid hardship to general people.
He informed that both Lt. Governor and Chief Secretary have directed for considering the demand positively and are closely monitoring the situation.
Regarding civil arrangements for the mourners, he said that SMC will conduct a cleanliness drive, a drinking water facility and the availability of two ambulances will be also ensured besides buses will be made available at Dalgate.
Div Com said, “I hope it would be a clean and peaceful procession. The success of this decision will be a precursor for more decisions in the future, and strict action will be taken against any mischief by anyone.”
“If anyone tries to create disturbance under this garb, they will be dealt with strictly,” Bhiduri said.
He said the people of Kashmir have created an atmosphere that has helped the administration to take this “historic decision”.
“I want to congratulate the Shia brethren and other people of Kashmir. They have created an atmosphere that made it easy for the administration to take this decision. The only difficulty we faced was that tomorrow is a working day. We have restricted the timing of the procession from 6.00 am to 8.00 am so that others are also not inconvenienced,” Bhiduri said.
He said the administration has taken all the necessary steps for the procession.
