Srinagar: Authorities have decided to reimpose restrictions in most parts of Srinagar on Sunday in view of Ashura-e-Muharram while as areas falling under the jurisdiction of 13 police stations of the city remained under tight vigil on Saturday.
Restrictions will be imposed in Srinagar areas falling under the jurisdiction of Maisuma, Kralkhud, Kothibagh, Ram Munshi Bagh Batamaloo, Sherghari, Karan Nagar, Shaheed Gunj, Khanyar, Rainawari, MR Gunj, Nowhatta and Safakadal.
It may be recalled that authorities here refuse to grant permission for traditional Muharram processions citing security considerations. Police and paramilitary troopers were deployed in large number here However smaller processions in the Shia inhabited areas are allowed. Police used force to disperse mourners who made repeated attempts to take out procession of 8th Muharram on Friday from Gurubazar to Dalgate in the uptown Srinagar.
Ashura processions was traditionally taken out from Abi Guzar in civil lines to Zadibal in the old city. Despite Govt claim that there is no ban on such processions, police action on Friday has strengthened the belief that this year too no Ashura procession will be allowed on its traditional route.
Meanwhile a smaller procession commencing from Gulshabagh in old city will be taken out on Sunday. The procession traversing less than two kilometres will culminate at Zadibal in the evening.
CONDITIONAL PERMISSION
Meanwhile, a number of Muharram processions were carried out in Old city here on 9th of Muharram (Tasua) on saturday which passed off peacefully.
Authorities had granted permission for these processions with a rider that no speches will be deliverd during the course of processions.
A big procession was carried out by the mourners from Shamaswari area of Srinagar, which culminated at Babapora areas of Habba Kadal.
The mourners wearing black clothes and bandanas were reciting ‘Nawahs’ over the sufferings of Imam Hussain and his companions.
Later in the afternoon, another Muharram procession was carried out in Gow Kadal area of Srinagar.
Witnesses said that the procession amid tight security started from Gow Kadal bridge and culminated at Basant Bagh area.
Largest procession in the city was taken out in the afternoon from Mandibal which culminated at Nabdipora in Zadibal.
Thousands of mourners marched while chanting Labayk Ya Hussain and reciting elegies for the martyrs of Karbala.
Authorities had this year imposed a ban on any sermon or speech during the course of the processions. However Ittehadul Muslimeen President Maulana Masroor Abbas Ansari who was leading the procession gave a fiery speech at Alamgari Bazar Chowk denouncing the curbs on Azadari in Kashmir.
Earlier police made several attempts to arrest Masroor, but failed as he was shielded by his supporters throughout the procession.
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