KL Report
SRINAGAR
Ashura will be observed with respect and religious sanctity across Jammu and Kashmir today while government has decided to impose restrictions in parts of Srinagar to prevent processions in the city-center Lal Chowk.
The day is observed as a symbol of sacrifice and mourning recalling the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), in the battle of Karbala on the 10th of Muharram, over 1353 years ago.
Official sources said that all roads leading to the city center Lal Chowk would be blocked with additional personnel of police and CRPF will be deployed at sensitive locations including Lal Chowk, Jahangir Chowk, Maisuma, Kothibagh, Kralkhud, M R Gunj, Haba Kadal, Safa Kadal, Nowhatta, Ram Munshi Bagh, Dalgate and Khanyar areas.
He added restriction will remain in vogue in the areas falling under five police stations including Maisuma, Kralkhud, Kothibagh, Shaheed Gunj and Ram Munshi Bagh.
The Ashura procession would traditionally start from Guru Bazar and Shaheed Gunj areas of the Srinagar’s downtown and pass through Maulana Azad Road and Residency Road, Dalgate to end at Alamgari Bazar, Zadibal.
However, for the last more than 24 years, authorities have disallowed Muharram processions in uptown areas while smaller congregations in localities of downtown Srinagar and in the outskirts are allowed.
