The administration in consultation with law enforcement agencies has jointly resolved to disallow 8th Muharram procession in Srinagar over apprehension in disturbance of law and order situation and a possibility of breaking out of any sectarian clashes, reported local news agency.
“It was unanimously decided by the administration with officers of law enforcement agencies to bar the processions for the larger benefit of public,” an official told GNS adding, “There is every apprehension that the miscreants may try to disturb the prevailing peace and calm which may further deteriorate the things.”
“To be on the safer side, no such activity will be allowed that may come at the cost of public peace and tranquility”, the official said.
Notably, the decision to clamp restrictions on the Muharram procession has came barely hours after a top Shia cleric Imran Reza Ansari wrote on Twitter: “Srinagar: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri on Tuesday said that government was serious on lifting decades restrictions on Muharram processions on two routes in Srinagar areas and that ball is in the Shia community court, who have been asked to provide details about number of people participating in the procession. “”My Answer is A sea of humanity converges on the roads on the occasion of Ashura. Azadars mostly from Shia community and people from other communities also take part in these processions (sic.).”
“Ashura marks the day of martyrdom of Imam Hussain (as) and ironically nobody can beforehand give details of the number of people that will participate in the procession”, read the tweet further. (GNS)