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Restrictions in Indian-controlled Kashmir to stop Muharram procession

Xinhua, October 25, 2015 Adjust font size:

Authorities on Saturday imposed strict restrictions in the old parts of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, to prevent religious procession of Shiite Muslims, officials said.

"Restrictions were put in place in areas falling under seven police stations of the city as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order," an Indian police officer said. "The areas include Khanyar, Rainawari, Nowhatta, M.R. Gunj, Safakadal, Lal Bazaar and Maisuma."

Hundreds of policemen and paramilitary troopers of India's Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in full riot-gears were deployed in sensitive localities of the city including Lal Chowk (red square) to enforce restrictions on movement of civilians.

The government forces had laid coils of concertina and barricades to restrict movement of vehicular traffic.

Meanwhile, policemen detained several Shia mourners, who defied restrictions and tried to take out a Muharram procession at Lal Chowk, the city center.

The mourners tried to march towards the Residency road when the police intercepted them and whisked them away in police vehicles, eyewitnesses said.

Every year Shia Muslims in the month of Muharram across the world mourn the death of Imam Hussein, grandson of Prophet Mohammad. Hussein as per Islamic scholars achieved martyrdom in the Iraqi city of Karbala in the year 680.

However, in Indian-controlled Kashmir, authorities have put a ban on Muharram processions in main city after an insurgency against Indian rule broke out in 1989. The officials cite security reasons to disallow the procession and often fear turning of religious procession into pro-freedom and anti-India one.

A separatist movement challenging New Delhi's rule is going on in Indian-controlled Kashmir. Anti-India sentiment runs deep in the psyche of majority of Kashmiris.

Authorities placed the region's separatist leaders under house arrest fearing their participation in procession would intensify protests.

The restrictions paralyzed business activities in the city. Enditem