Indian authorities further tightened restrictions in Srinagar to disallow Muharram processions

In Illegally Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the authorities further tightened restrictions in Srinagar city’s commercial hub of Lal Chowk and adjoining areas to disallow Muharram processions, today.

The curbs were imposed in areas falling under eight police stations—Batamaloo, ShaheedGunj, Karanagar, Maisuma, Kothibagh, Shergrahi, Kralkhud and Ram Munshibagh. Concertina wires were spread on the roads to restrict the movement of vehicles and to stop people from converging on the traditional routes for joint processions on 8th day of Muharram.

Barricades were laid to block main roads in Batamaloo, Residency Road, Dalgate, Ram Munishbagh and Maisuma to prevent mourners from assembling in large numbers. All shops in the Lal Chowk remained closed due to the curbs. The Indian forces also deployed buses, mobile bunkers and bullet-proof vehicles as barricades to cut off some areas

Prior to 1990, on the 8th day of Muharram, Ashura procession would commence from ShaheedGunj area, pass through MA Road and later culminate at Imam Bara Dalgate. However, during the past 30 years, authorities have not allowed the processions, fearing these precession turning into big anti-India rallies.

For last several years, mourners have been defying the restrictions and tried to carry out the procession. However, police would buddle them into vehicles and release them later. However, after pro-freedom and anti-India slogans were raised in earlier such processions, this year, at various places in Kashmir, the occupation authorities have further tightened the curbs.