Srinagar: In an unprecedented development Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Saturday joined Ashura procession in Zadibal quarter of the old Srinagar. He placed a chador on Zuljanah, the symbolic horse of Imam Hussain, and also briefly stayed at a sabeel distributing refreshments to the mourners.
This is for the first time in 34 years any top official of his rank has joined a mass gathering in downtown Srinagar.
LG Sinha reached Bota Kadal at around 11 AM and took part in the Zuljinah procession in the congested Mohalla Syed Afzal.
He offered chaddar to Zuljinah and paid obeisance to Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) on the occasion, officials accompanying him said.
He also walked to a nearby refreshment stall at Alamgari Bazar and distributed refreshments among the mourners, they said.
Security was heightened in the area for LG’s visit, reports said. He was accompanied by ADGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Vijay Kumar Bhiduri, SSP Srinagar Rakesh Balwal, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Muhammad Aijaz Asad and other officials. ADGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar later told reporters that LG’s visit was made possible by peoples support and that the procession was going on peacefully.