Curfew in Srinagar to prevent Muharram procession

Authorities on Friday imposed curfew in Srinagar to prevent the main Muharram procession.

The curfew was imposed in areas falling under seven police stations in Srinagar and Central Reserve Police Force troopers were deployed to enforce the preventive restrictions.

Since the rise of militancy in Kashmir, authorities have not allowed the Muharram procession to take place.

The procession was scheduled to start from Abiguzar area of Srinagar, near the city centre Lal Chowk. The area has been sealed off since today morning to prevent any gathering of members of the Shia community.

The preventive orders issued by the district magistrate of Srinagar stated that only those Muharram processions would be allowed for which permission has already been granted.

In the old city area of Rajouri Kadal, supporters of moderate All Parties Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Umar Farooq took out a torchlight procession to protest the decision of the authorities to impose curfew in the city.

The Mirwaiz was detained by the police briefly late on Thursday evening and later released. He is now under house arrest at his residence.