Moharram processions foiled, dozens of mourners arrested in Srinagar

Srinagar, Sep 29: Security forces today foiled Moharram processions at various places and arrested several dozens of mourners in the summer capital Srinagar, where restriction were imposed since early this morning.
      Police said that restrictions under Section 144 CrPC have been imposed in the areas under the jurisdiction of police Shaheed Gunj, Karan Nagar, Maisuma, Kothibagh, Sherghari, Batmaloo and Ram Munshi Bagh in the civil lines, uptown and old city since early this morning as a precautionary measure.
      Large number of Shia mourners gathered at Batamaloo this morning and tried to take out a procession, reciting ‘marsiya’ and raising religion slogans.
      However, security forces deployed in the area immediately swung into action and resorted to lathicharge to disperse the mourners near Fire Service Headquarter when they were heading towards Budshah chowk.
      Security forces later burst teargas shells as the mourners refused to disperse and continued their procession. Scores of them were later taken into preventive custody.
      Several Shia mourners were also placed under preventive detention after they tried to take out a Moharram procession from Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the summer capital, Srinagar.
      Meanwhile, security forces burst teargas shells to disperse a Tazia procession in Dal Lake, where scores of mourners tried to take out a procession. As the security forces didn’t allow the procession, some mourners resorted to stone pelting. The clashes were still going on when the reports last came in.
      Tazia processions in the civil lines on 8th and 10th of the month of Moharram have been banned in the summer capital since the early 90s. UNI