Srinagar- Uncertainty looms large over traditional 8th Muharram procession from Guru Bazar to Dalgate in uptown Srinagar, as the meeting between Shia community representatives with the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha on Monday remained inconclusive.
The second round of talks to break ice over the long-pending demand of Shia community for an end to 34 year old ban on traditional Muharram processions in Srinagar, was held at the Civil Secretariat here under the chairmanship of LG Sinha.
Besides LG, his Principal Secretary Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, ADGP Hqrs M.K Sinha and ADGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar and other senior officers of police and administration attended the meeting.
The meeting between the two sides lasted for over an hour, during which various issues, including the prevailing security situation, were discussed.
Host of Shia leaders and representatives including Molvi Imran Raza Ansari and Agha Syed Mujtaba al-Musavi attended the meeting.
However Imran Ansari walked out from the meeting in protest after he reportedly entered into an argument with the Chief Secretary.
“The meeting with LG did not end in a deadlock. In fact, it was fruitful. We got a positive signal from the Lieutenant Governor. He assured us that his administration is seriously considering the issue of banned Muharram processions,” Aga Syed Mujtaba told Kashmir Observer.
However, Mujtaba, the Vice-President of J&K Anjuman-e-Sharie Shiayan, Darul Mustafa Budgam, quickly added that the LG told the representatives that his administration will try to allow the procession after taking a complete security review and feedback from the law enforcement agencies.
Besides Mujtaba, representatives of Anjuman-e-Sharie Shiayan, Shariatabad, Budgam, Shia Association and newly launched Community Development and Employment Foundation Hawal, attended the meeting.
Interestingly, Itihaad-ul-Muslimeen, which has traditionally been leading the 8th Muharram procession, was not invited to the meeting.
When asked if the discussion with the administration was held only on Muharram 8th procession, the Agha Mujtaba said that the two banned processions from Guru Bazar to Dalgate and 10th Muharram procession from Abi Guzar to Zadibal always remain on the agenda of his organization.
“We sought permission for both the traditional processions that remain banned from the last 34 years,” he said.
“We also told the LG that since you claim the security scenario in Kashmir has completely changed with recent G20 meet and ongoing Amarnath yatra going ahead peacefully, then why is the ban on Muharram processions not being lifted,” he added.
Expressing satisfaction over today’s meeting with the LG, Anjuman-e-Sharie leader said that the approach shown by LG Sinha and Chief Secretary has given him a hope that this year Muharram processions will be allowed.
“This issue was never addressed as it was addressed today,” he said.
However, he quickly added that his party will register a peaceful protest if the government does not allow the processions.
Meanwhile, later in the day, a meeting was held at the Police Control Room (PCR) Srinagar between senior police officers with the representatives of Shia organisations.
“The police want a cap on the number of mourners participating in the 8th Muharram procession. They want around 200 mourners in the procession. It’s practically impossible to limit this procession, if taken out after 34 years,” said a Shia representative, wishing not to be named.
Last week, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri held a meeting with the leaders of the Shia community at the Police Control Room (PCR) here to reach a consensus on these processions.
The two major processions of 8th and 10th Muharram were banned in 1989 by the then Governor administration fearing the processions may be used to propagate separatist sentiments. Ever since, only small mourning processions are allowed in Shia dominated areas of interiors of the Srinagar city.
However, every year, mourners defy government curbs and attempt to take out processions from the city, which are often met with force.
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