SRINAGAR: The administration, in consultation with law enforcement agencies, has jointly resolved to disallow the Muharram 8th procession in the City over apprehensions regarding disturbance of law and order and the possibility of sectarian clashes, an official said.
“It was unanimously decided by the administration, in coordination with officers of law enforcement agencies, to bar the processions for the larger benefit of the public,” the official told GNS, adding, “There is a real concern that miscreants may try to disturb the prevailing peace and calm, which could escalate things further.”
“To be on the safer side, no such activity will be allowed that may come at the cost of public peace and tranquility,” the official said.
The grapevine had suggested that Muharram processions would be carried out from Shaheed Gunj to Dalgate the day after tomorrow – a route that had been off-limits for processions since the law and order situation in 1986 and has not been allowed since then.
Notably, the decision to impose restrictions on the Muharram procession came barely hours after a top Shia cleric, Imran Reza Ansari, wrote on Twitter: “Srinagar: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri on Tuesday said that the government was serious about lifting decades-old restrictions on Muharram processions on two routes in Srinagar areas and that the ball is in the Shia community’s court, who have been asked to provide details about the number of people participating in the procession. “My answer is a sea of humanity converges on the roads on the occasion of Ashura. Azadars, mostly from the Shia community, and people from other communities also take part in these processions (sic.).”
“Ashura marks the day of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (as), and ironically, nobody can beforehand give details of the number of people that will participate in the procession,” the tweet further read. (GNS)
