Security heightened in parts of Srinagar for Muharram

Authorities in Srinagar have disallowed the main Muharram procession as they apprehended it may create law and order problem . Strict curfew-like-restrictions were imposed on early Sunday in parts of the capital city including its city centre, Lal Chowk.

Hundreds of police and paramilitary, Central Reserve Police Force soldiers moved into the civil line areas from where the annual Muharram procession was to originate to enforce strict security restrictions.

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The restrictions were also enforced in parts of the old city. Coils of razor fitted wire were placed at the road intersections to block pedestrian and vehicular movement.

However, the authorities allowed Muharram processions in the interior areas of the city amidst tight security arrangements. A huge Muharram procession was taken out in central Kashmir Budgam district which has a heavy population of the Shia Muslims.

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Government medical teams accompanied the processions providing medical help to the mourners.

Shia mourners have traditionally carried out large processions on 10th day of Muharram month in Kashmir, but since the ongoing separatist violence started in 1990s, authorities have been disallowing the main procession to maintain law and order.

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