Senior police officers remain on ground to oversee arrangements
Drone surveillance, public service camps ensure smooth observance
Srinagar: Jammu & Kashmir Police’s top leadership on Wednesday joined the traditional 8th Muharram procession in Srinagar, as thousands of mourners marched along the Guru Bazar–Dalgate route amid heightened security and elaborate civic arrangements.
Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat personally monitored the arrangements on the ground and visited the Dalgate Imam Bargah, where he interacted with mourners and local residents. His presence drew a warm response from devotees, with many, including children, greeting him during the visit.
The senior police leadership present during the procession included IGP Kashmir V.K. Birdi, IG Security Sujit Kumar, Special DGP (Coordination) SJM Gillani, DIG Central Kashmir Range Rajiv Omprakash Pande, SSP Srinagar G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy and DySP Headquarters Srinagar Syed Sleet Shah.
Officials moved along key points of the procession route to review security deployment, traffic regulation and public facilitation measures. Police personnel also operated assistance camps, including a drinking water stall at M.A. Road, where officers distributed water among mourners.
The 8th Muharram procession, one of the largest annual religious gatherings in Kashmir, witnessed participation from mourners from various districts of the Valley. Black flags and religious banners lined the city centre as elegies and nauhas echoed through the route.
Police and civil administration enforced a multi-layered security plan for the event, with drone surveillance, strategic deployment of personnel and traffic diversions aimed at ensuring smooth movement of both mourners and commuters.
Speaking to reporters, IGP Kashmir V.K. Birdi said security and facilitation arrangements had been planned in coordination with organisers and volunteers.
“Our effort was to ensure the procession is conducted peacefully and with dignity while also ensuring minimal disruption to daily life in other parts of the city,” Birdi said.
He said Muharram carries a message of sacrifice, justice and humanity, values that remain relevant across societies and generations.
SSP Srinagar G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy said the security grid extended across the entire traditional route, from Guru Bazar to Dalgate and Imamabada, with advanced surveillance systems deployed for real-time monitoring.
Authorities said similar security and logistical arrangements are being planned for the upcoming 10th Muharram procession.
Mourners praised the administration, police and volunteers for the smooth management of the event, citing effective crowd management, sanitation, medical aid and public service facilities.
Adil Yousuf, a mourner from Bemina, said the arrangements were among the best in recent years. The coordination between police, volunteers and organisers was impressive. Everything remained smooth and peaceful throughout the procession,” he said.
Another mourner, Syed Ali from Zadibal, said the presence of senior police officers on the ground sent a positive message. “Seeing top officers personally monitoring arrangements gave people confidence and showed the administration’s seriousness,” he said.
Fatima Rizvi, who participated in the procession with her family, appreciated the public service facilities. “The drinking water stalls, medical camps and traffic regulation helped a lot, especially for elderly mourners and children,” she said.
The procession also mirrored Kashmir’s communal harmony, with members of the Kashmiri Pandit community joining the observance and paying tribute to Imam Hussain (AS).
Revived after a suspension of more than three decades, the traditional Guru Bazar–Dalgate procession has once again become a major symbol of faith, remembrance and collective mourning in the Valley, commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions in Karbala.
