SRINAGAR: Senior civil and police officials on Wednesday praised mourners, volunteers and organisers for the peaceful conduct of the 8th Muharram procession in Srinagar and appealed for continued public cooperation to ensure the smooth observance of remaining Muharram events across Kashmir.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir VK Birdi and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar Dr GV Sundeep Chakravarthy reviewed arrangements during the procession and said extensive measures had been put in place to facilitate mourners and maintain law and order.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the procession, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg said comprehensive arrangements had been made by the administration to ensure the smooth and peaceful conduct of Muharram observances.
He said helping teams, including Quick Response Teams (QRTs), had been deployed along procession routes to provide assistance and respond promptly to any requirement during the events.
Garg said the successful conduct of the 8th Muharram procession was the result of coordinated efforts by various government departments, security agencies, volunteers and mourners.
He appealed to the public to continue cooperating with the administration and adhere to advisories issued from time to time so that the remaining Muharram programmes are conducted without inconvenience.
Referring to the forthcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, Garg said all necessary arrangements had been put in place and described the annual pilgrimage as a routine event for which extensive planning had already been undertaken.
He said public cooperation would remain crucial for the successful conduct of both Muharram observances and the Amarnath Yatra.
The Divisional Commissioner added that the administration was acting in accordance with the directions of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah regarding facilitation of mourners and the peaceful conduct of religious events.
Inspector General of Police Kashmir VK Birdi, who joined the procession, said the Jammu and Kashmir Police had made elaborate security and traffic arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the event.
He said special measures had also been taken to maintain smooth traffic movement in other parts of Srinagar and minimise inconvenience to the public.
According to Birdi, the peaceful conduct of the procession was made possible through close coordination between the police, volunteers and organisers.
Paying tribute to Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions, the IGP said their sacrifice carried a timeless message of humanity, duty, sacrifice and tolerance.
“The message of Imam Hussain (AS) is as relevant for us as it is for the entire humanity,” he said.
Birdi said the police would continue to review and strengthen arrangements in consultation with stakeholders ahead of the major Muharram processions scheduled in the coming days.
Meanwhile, SSP Srinagar Dr GV Sundeep Chakravarthy said Srinagar Police had put in place elaborate security, surveillance and traffic management arrangements along the traditional procession route from Guru Bazar to Dalgate.
He said extensive planning and coordination exercises were undertaken before the procession, while police personnel and other resources were deployed at strategic locations to ensure its smooth conduct.
The SSP said aerial surveillance and other monitoring mechanisms formed part of the overall security grid established for the event.
Thanking mourners for their cooperation, Dr Chakravarthy said the procession was conducted peacefully and assured that all necessary arrangements would also be made for the forthcoming 10th Muharram procession.
He reiterated the police’s commitment to maintaining peace and public safety during the remaining Muharram observances across the city.
