Thousands join Muharram processions across Kashmir Valley
By IANSFriday, December 17, 2010
SRINAGAR - Muharram processions were taken out peacefully in many parts of the Kashmir Valley Friday except for the main procession which couldn’t be taken out due to the imposition of curfew in Srinagar.
Thousands joined the processions at different places to pay rich tributes to the grandson of the Prophet and commemorate his martyrdom.
Police here said no untoward incident took place anywhere during the day-long processions in the Kashmir Valley.
In Srinagar city, processions were taken out from Lal Bazar, Shalimar Hawal and Hassanabad localities while in the central Badgam district, processions were taken out in Badgam town and Yachgam.
In south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, similar processions were taken out from Chatergul, Wullarhama, Halakha, Bonegund Dooru and Warigam towns.
The processions in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district were taken out from Delina, Moongam, Singhpora Kalam, Pattan, Ahmadpora, Ikhwanpora and Danisaidan in Uri town.
Similar processions were also taken out from Sumbal town of Baramulla.
The district administrations had made elaborate arrangements for drinking water and medical facilities for the mourners. Ambulances equipped with necessary first-aid facilities, doctors and para-medical staff were also provided.
Muharram processions have been restricted in Abiguzar area of Srinagar since last 20 years and this year also, restrictions were imposed and no procession was allowed to be taken out from there,” a police officer said here.
A police spokesman said that except for the Abiguzar procession, no restrictions had been imposed on taking out of Muharram processions anywhere in the state.
Shia Muslims across the world carry out Muharram processions on the 10th day of the Muslim month of Muharram to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet of Islam.
The main Muharram procession, which is scheduled to be taken out by thousands of Shia Muslims, has not been allowed by the authorities ever since the present armed violence began here in the early 1990s.
