Thousands of mourners participated in the traditional 8th Muharram procession in Srinagar on Wednesday, with authorities putting in place elaborate security, traffic and civic arrangements, including drone surveillance, to ensure the peaceful conduct of the event.
The procession commenced from Guru Bazar in the early morning hours and proceeded along the traditional route via Budshah Kadal and MA Road towards Dalgate and Imamabad, drawing participants from different parts of Kashmir. Black flags and mourning banners lined the route as mourners joined the procession in remembrance of the martyrs of Karbala.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, Dr GV Sundeep Chakravarthy, said comprehensive arrangements had been made along the entire route in coordination with multiple agencies.
“The Srinagar Police, in coordination with paramilitary forces and the traffic police, has meticulously planned security arrangements from the starting point to the end point of the procession. Drone surveillance is also being used to enhance security and provide comfort to mourners as well as the general public,” Dr Chakravarthy told reporters on the sidelines of the procession.
He said police personnel had been deployed round the clock to facilitate the event and appealed to mourners and organisers to adhere to traffic advisories and notified guidelines.
“Our only aim is to ensure that the procession is conducted smoothly and in a dignified manner. For that, we require the cooperation and support of all stakeholders and the public,” he said.
Throughout the route, sabeels, medical camps and volunteer-run service stalls provided water, refreshments and assistance to participants, while elegies commemorating the tragedy of Karbala echoed through the city centre.
Officials said extensive arrangements had been made for security, traffic regulation, sanitation, medical assistance and uninterrupted essential services. Traffic diversions remained in force on roads connected to the procession route, while designated parking facilities were made available for participants arriving from different districts.
Tahir Ali, a mourner from Budgam, said the procession represented a remembrance of sacrifice and faith. “People wait all year to be part of this day,” he said.
Another participant, Mubashir Hassan, said the event reflected both grief and unity. “You can see people from every corner of Kashmir here. The arrangements by volunteers and authorities have helped everything move smoothly,” he said.
Replying to a query regarding the upcoming 10th Muharram procession, the SSP said similar arrangements had already been planned for the main procession in the Jadibal area.
“That is the main procession and we have made elaborate arrangements for it as well. We are committed to ensuring its successful and peaceful conduct,” he said.
The procession was continuing peacefully when reports last came in.
