“On Ashura, the J&K Police received widespread acclaim for their supportive actions during the Zuljanah Procession held across the Kashmir Valley. Police officers provided refreshments, including water and juice, to Shia mourners, a gesture that was warmly appreciated. In Ganderbal, under the guidance of SSP Sandeep Gupta, Gund Police, along with SDPO Kangan Muzaffar Jan-JKPS, SHO Gund Lateef Ali, distributed water, juice, and other essentials to Shia mourners in the BaltiKullan area. This initiative was part of their commitment to supporting the community during religious observances.”
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has granted permission for the Muharram-8 and 10 processions to follow its traditional route in Srinagar for the second consecutive year. This decision, announced last week, continues the historic resumption that began last year after a 34-year hiatus.
Historic Shift , Commitment to Peace: Previously banned since 1989 due to security concerns, the procession was allowed by the lieutenant governor last year, marking a significant shift and resulting in a peaceful gathering of thousands of Shia mourners. The administration’s decision to grant permission again this year underscores its commitment to maintaining peace and honoring religious traditions.
Youm-e-Ashura Observed with Reverence: On the 10th of Muharram, known as Youm-e-Ashura, the Kashmir Valley observed the day with profound reverence. Thousands of mourners participated in solemn processions to commemorate the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions in the Battle of Karbala.
LG’s Tributes to Imam Hussain(AS): Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha recalled the sacrifices made by Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) on the eve of Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram. In a message, the Lt Governor said, “The occasion reminds humanity of the sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his great teachings. It is also a day to rededicate ourselves to the ideals of equality, brotherhood, compassion and justice as epitomised by Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS). On this day, let all of us resolve to work together to build a peaceful, just and equitable society,” he said.
Major Processions, Unified Atmosphere: The largest processions, including the Alam and Zuljanah processions, started in Alipur, BotaKadal, and culminated at Imambargah Zadibal. The streets were filled with mourners waving Islamic flags, creating a somber yet unified atmosphere. The Zuljanah procession, unique to Ashura, attracted hundreds of participants, showcasing their devotion and unity. Throughout Muharram, various Alam and Tazia processions are held, symbolizing the Islamic New Year and commemorating the sacrifices made at Karbala.
Enhanced Security Measures For Peaceful Observance: Security measures were intensified in sensitive areas to ensure the peaceful observance of Ashura. Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Law and Order, Vijay Kumar, and IGP Kashmir were present in Zadibal to oversee arrangements. ADGP Kumar praised the security efforts, emphasizing the professionalism and impartiality of the J&K police. “Three-tier security is in place for 10th Muharram, and I appreciate the meticulous arrangements made. The comprehensive measures were taken to avoid any inconvenience to the mourners,” he said.
Civil Admin’s Support, Improved Arrangements: Civil authorities played a crucial role in supporting the processions. Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, reviewed arrangements and ensured essential services like water, electricity, and medical aid were available. He commended this year’s arrangements as superior to last year’s, attributing the peaceful procession to the collaborative efforts of security forces and local administration.
Additional Measures, Community Engagement: Dr. Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat, DC Srinagar, noted that additional measures were implemented for the 10th Muharram following the successful procession on the 8th. Owais Ahmad, SMC Commissioner, highlighted pre-planning efforts, including road improvements and street lighting to enhance visibility. “Our sanitation teams worked extended hours to ensure cleanliness from early morning until late evening,” he added. IGP Kashmir Zone V.K. Birdi distributed water among participants during the procession. ADGP Vijay Kumar, along with IGP Kashmir V.K. Birdi and other senior officers distributed refreshments to mourners and assessed arrangements in Alamgari Bazar. He praised the disciplined and peaceful conduct of the procession, noting that volunteers were cooperating with the police. He assured that all necessary arrangements were in place, including additional forces, traffic management, and security checks to prevent any incidents.
Blood Donation Drive: On Youm-e-Ashoora, nearly 1,500 pints of blood were donated in Srinagar’s Zadibal area, marking a significant contribution to regional healthcare. Blood donation camps, organized by various groups from 8 AM to 5 PM, saw a large turnout, with some camps reporting up to 198 pints donated. Jasim Muzaffar from Ali Asgar Blood Bank described the donation drive as a powerful display of communal harmony, noting the participation of both Sunni and Shia Muslims. “This solidarity reflects the essence of Ashura, honoring Imam Hussain (AS) and supporting a life-saving cause,” he added.
Processions Across Kashmir— Observances, Support: Processions commemorating Ashura were held across several districts, including Baramulla, Bandipora, Budgam, Ganderbal, Kulgam, and Anantnag. Thousands of mourners participated in these events to mark the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussain (AS). In the Ahmadpora area of Pattan tehsil, a significant Ashura procession took place, highlighting the community’s reverence for the martyrdom of Imam Hussain. The procession in the Magam main town began at Magam and concluded at Ahmadpora Imambara. In Budgam district, processions were held in Budgam town, Hayatpora village, Wanihuma, and other areas, with thousands of Azadars participating. Volunteers set up Sabeels at various locations, distributing water and juice to the mourners. The district administrations of Budgam and Baramulla made comprehensive arrangements to ensure a smooth and incident-free observance of Muharram. On Ashura, the J&K Police received widespread acclaim for their supportive actions during the Zuljanah Procession held across the Kashmir Valley. Police officers provided refreshments, including water and juice, to Shia mourners, a gesture that was warmly appreciated. In Ganderbal, under the guidance of SSP Sandeep Gupta, Gund Police, along with SDPO Kangan Muzaffar Jan-JKPS, SHO Gund Lateef Ali, distributed water, juice, and other essentials to Shia mourners in the BaltiKullan area. This initiative was part of their commitment to supporting the community during religious observances. In Pulwama, the District Police also provided water and refreshments to the Shia community, a move that was praised for its kindness and support for those participating in the processions. In Anantnag, police personnel set up stalls at various locations to offer refreshments, such as sharbat and drinking water, to mourners on Youm-e-Ashoora. SSP Anantnag, Dr. GV Sandeep Chakravarthy, personally visited these stalls to ensure the welfare of mourners in Sofipora Wallerhama and Pahalgam. Over 250 police personnel were deployed to support the mourners, reinforcing Kashmir’s tradition of communal harmony. These actions by the J&K Police reflect their ongoing commitment to fostering communal harmony and supporting the community during significant religious events.
“Lessons learned from this year’s arrangements can be applied to refine security protocols and logistical support. Engaging with community leaders and participants can further strengthen trust and cooperation. Feedback from this year’s events should be gathered to understand community needs and enhance future arrangements. Increased efforts in public awareness and communication about security measures and guidelines can help in preventing misunderstandings and ensuring compliance. Expanding support systems, such as medical aid and sanitation services, will enhance the overall experience for participants and ensure their needs are met during large-scale events. By building on the successes of this year and addressing areas for improvement, Jammu and Kashmir can continue to honor its rich cultural heritage while maintaining security and harmony in future observances.”
Kashmir Horizon View: The successful observance of Muharram-8 and 10th Muharram processions this year marks a significant milestone in Jammu and Kashmir’s ongoing efforts to balance religious traditions with security concerns. The decision to permit the Muharram-8 procession along its traditional route for the second consecutive year demonstrates the administration’s commitment to respecting cultural and religious practices while ensuring public safety. The smooth conduct of these processions reflects the effectiveness of collaborative efforts among security forces, civil authorities, and local communities. Enhanced security measures, meticulous planning, and community cooperation have played crucial roles in facilitating peaceful observance and ensuring the safety of participants. The administration should continue fostering collaboration between security agencies, local authorities, and community leaders. This partnership is essential for maintaining peace and addressing any emerging concerns effectively. Future processions should benefit from ongoing improvements in planning and infrastructure. Lessons learned from this year’s arrangements can be applied to refine security protocols and logistical support. Engaging with community leaders and participants can further strengthen trust and cooperation. Feedback from this year’s events should be gathered to understand community needs and enhance future arrangements. Increased efforts in public awareness and communication about security measures and guidelines can help in preventing misunderstandings and ensuring compliance. Expanding support systems, such as medical aid and sanitation services, will enhance the overall experience for participants and ensure their needs are met during large-scale events. By building on the successes of this year and addressing areas for improvement, Jammu and Kashmir can continue to honor its rich cultural heritage while maintaining security and harmony in future observances.
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