Srinagar: Ahead of the 8th Muharram procession Inspector General of Police Syed Javaid Mujtaba Gillani on Wednesday said that the police will not allow the procession of Shias tomorrow on the traditional routes.
IGP was quoted by local media saying “We won’t allow the Muharram procession taking the security situation into view”.
Jammu Kashmir Itehadul Muslimeen Chief Patron Moulana Abbas Ansari is scheduled to lead the traditional ‘Alam’ procession on 8th Muharram from Abi Guzar to Zadibal.
The Shias take two procession-one on 8th Muharram and the second on 10th Moharram (Ashura) to mark the martyrdom of Hussain Ibn Ali and his companions in Karbala in the year 680.
However in Kashmir, Muharram processions remain banned by the government since 1989.
The ban has been protested by the Shia, who say that it was a religious infringement by the authorities.
Only small mourning processions are allowed in selected areas with Shi’ite populations.