Over 25,000 Shias attend procession; LG says ‘testimony to normalcy'; Omar lauds Govt decision
Srinagar, July 27: Muharram procession was taken out through the heart of city on Thursday after a gap of 34 years.
While the government termed it a ‘historic' event, the mourners were seen as emotional for being part of the procession that passed through the traditional route.
Hundreds of Shia mourners hit the Srinagar roads in the wee hours to take out the 8th Muharram procession on the traditional route. Mourners clad in black dresses walked peacefully chanting praises and Nouhas.
The mourners started the procession from Guru Bazar and it passed through Karan Nagar, Budshah Chowk, Moulana Azad Road and reached Dalgate where it culminated peacefully.
“It is an emotional day for us. We used to hear from our elders about the Muharram procession being taken out from Guru Bazar. And today when the Muharram procession passed through the same road, we felt emotional.
“We are grateful to the administration for allowing us to take out the procession after 34 years,” said a Shia mourner,” Zaffar, a resident of the old city.
After the Muharam procession was banned in late eighties, several youths used to try to march every year on the eighth day of Muharam on the traditional route, but they were stopped by police.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha described the 8th day Muharram procession, after a gap of 34 years, a “historic occasion”.
“Today is a historic occasion for Shia brethren in Kashmir valley as after 34 years, the 8th Muharram procession is taking place on the traditional route, from Guru Bazar to Dalgate”, the LG tweeted.
The LG said it was also a testimony to change and normalcy in J&K. “The entire world is witnessing the commitment and determination of the government to ensure a peaceful environment, freedom, love, compassion and harmony in society,” he added.
A three-tier security was in place for the conduct of the peaceful Muharram procession.
As the mourners were walking, top security and officials from the civil administration were keeping an eye on the situation.
Police said taking out the Muharam procession was a continued march of J&K towards peace and stability.
“Keeping in view the sensitivity of the day, when the shadow of terrorism and petty politics of separatism made it impossible to hold such events, the procession was not taken out for the last over three decades in the aftermath of violence and arson during the event”, police added.
Police said the forces were on the ground from 4 am. Naka and cut-off points were placed by 5 am before people started the procession, and traffic management was excellent since the morning.
The gathering of more than 25000 people in the form of a procession was fully disciplined and peaceful and well-coordinated. “It is certainly another historic day for our people,” police added.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar Rakesh Balwal thanked people for their cooperation and peaceful conduct of the Muharram procession.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah welcomed the decision of the government to allow eighth day Muharram procession to pass through traditional routes in Srinagar, but simultaneously demanded release of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from house detention.
He said that allowing 8th day Muharram procession from traditional routes of Srinagar after over three decades is a “welcome step”, but the Lieutenant Governor led government administration needs to take a few more steps in the right direction to restore actual normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir.
Omar said it has been found that if it suits the government they find it very easy to clamp down on religious freedom. “There are numerous examples there in front of you how many Friday's are there when permission was not given in Jamia Masjid for Fridays prayers…that must stop”.
