Srinagar, July 4. In a solemn display of faith and mourning, thousands of Shia mourners in Srinagar participated in the traditional 8th Muharram procession on Friday, which passed peacefully through the heart of the city amid tight security and civil coordination.
The historic procession, banned for over three decades after the eruption of militancy in Kashmir, was allowed for the third consecutive year by the administration, marking a significant gesture of communal harmony and religious freedom.
The mourning procession commenced early morning from the Guru Bazar locality and proceeded through its traditional route, Jehangir Chowk and Maulana Azad Road, before culminating at Dalgate. The authorities had granted a limited time window to avoid disruption of normal life, and accordingly, thousands of mourners assembled at the starting point well before dawn.
To ensure smooth conduct, the traffic department issued advisories for commuters while police and paramilitary forces secured the entire stretch. The presence of senior officials including Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Biduri, IGP Kashmir VK Birdi, and SSP Srinagar Dr GV Sandeep Chakraborthy underscored the administration’s commitment to safeguarding the sanctity and safety of the procession.
Demonstrating a humane touch, the officials joined volunteers in distributing water bottles among the mourners, while mobile water sprinklers were deployed at various locations to help ease the effects of the scorching summer heat.
Speaking to reporters, IGP Kashmir Vidhi Kumar Birdi said that elaborate security and civic arrangements had been made to facilitate the smooth movement of mourners. “The civil administration and police worked jointly to ensure no one faces any inconvenience. Traffic diversions and public awareness measures were also taken to avoid congestion,” he added.
The 8th of Muharram holds immense for the Shia community, as it marks the climax of grief leading up to Ashura, the day Imam Hussain (AS) was martyred in Karbala.
While the procession had long remained banned due to fears of potential misuse by vested interest elements, its peaceful revival in recent years has come as a reassurance for the community and a reflection of growing stability in the region. [KNT]
