Restrictions imposed in areas under 8 police stations in Srinagar

Srinagar, Sept 29: Authorities on Friday imposed restrictions in areas under the jurisdiction of eight police stations here to prevent Tazia procession on the 8th day of Muharram. There are, however, no restrictions in the downtown and Shehar-e-Khas (SeK). 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. Though police said the restrictions have been imposed to prevent any law and order problem in the summer capital, official source said it was to prevent “Tazia Processions” from Guru Bazar in the old city to Imam Bara Dalgate via civil lines on the 8th day of Muharram. Additional security forces and state police personnel have been deployed in these areas to prevent assembly of mourners. However, there were no road blocks as was being witnessed in the downtown and SeK when restrictions are being imposed there. Large number of police and security forces have been deployed at Guru Bazar and Dalgate to prevent any procession. However, since early 90s authorities have banned Muharram processions in Srinagar for security reasons after some separatist leaders joined the mourners. Since the authorities are imposing restrictions on Muharram procession routes, the mourners are making attempts from several places to reach Imam Bara Dalgate. The Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, has recently denied that any ban has been imposed on Muharram processions in the city. However, the Shia and other organisations criticised the authorities for misleading the people. Chairman of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC) Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq was put under house arrest yesterday to prevent him from attending a seminar to pay homage to martyrs of Karbala at the residence of hardline HC chief Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who remained under house arrest. Tazia processions are being taken out elsewhere in the Valley, including Shia dominated Badgam since the first of Muharram month. UNI