Srinagar:The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Friday said like previous years, no Muharram procession would be allowed this time too and all rituals are to be performed in respective Imam Baras or Shrines.
Wilayat Times reports, a top government official said the administration would follow the past precedence and not allow any procession as these could be used by anti-social elements to trigger clashes with security forces.
The official said Shia community have been conveyed to carry out their religious duties at local Imambaras during the 10- day-long period.
As a gesture, the administration has shifted some Shia leaders to detention centres and some at their homes.
Some reports says that on 6th Muharram people came out on streets and lead a mourning procession from Zoori Gund to Budgam but security forces stopped them and used teargas shells to disperse the which resulted many got injured.
It is to mention here that it has been the age-old practice across Kashmir that on 8th and 10th of Muharram, huge processions used to be taken out from different areas of Srinagar and other parts of the valley to pay rich tributes to Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) – the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) – and his companions who were martyred in Karbala. However, the authorities imposed ban on these processions in the territory in 1989.
Meanwhile, the Kashmir valley remains under strict military siege on the 34th consecutive day, today. All markets, schools and colleges are closed while transport is off the road. Internet, mobile, landlines, Newspapers and TV channels in most areas are shut. The valley remains cut off from the rest of the world due to continue blockade and suspension of communication services since 5th August. The valley represents a humanitarian crisis as the residents are facing severe shortage of essential commodities like baby food and life-saving drugs. Patients are scrambling for medicines while doctors are facing immense difficulties to reach the hospitals.