Over 30 Shia mourners were detained after a mild lathicharge to foil Muharram procession in Srinagar, where ban Tazia processions continued since the eruption of militancy in early 90s for security reasons.
However, this time the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, K Pole on Thursday evening reiterated that strict restrictions will continue on all religious processions and gatherings in all districts of the Kashmir valley in view of COVID-19 pandemic.
Shia mourners, mostly youths, made several attempt to defy the restrictions and took out Muharram procession in Batmaloo area of the city.
A group of mourners appeared near Civil Secretariat from Batmaloo reciting marsia and raising religious slogans. However, security forces and police immediately swung into action and prevented mourners from proceeding towards civil lines. Security forces resorted to mild lathichage when the mourners , wearing black cloths and holding banner, refused to disperse.
Similar attempts were made by mourners at Batmaloo and other places which too were foiled by the security forces.
Later, over 30 mourners were detained in police station Shaheed Gunj. Security forces had closed all roads leading to Guru Bazar Shaheed Gung in the old city from where Muharram procession was being taken out on 8th of Muharram month to Imambara Dalgate. Large number of security forces remained deployed since early this morning at Dalgate to foil any attempt by mourners to enter the Imambara.