Srinagar, October 31: Authorities have decided to impose curfew-like restrictions in several parts of Srinagar city on Sunday and Tuesday in view of 8th and 10th Muharram processions.
Official sources told that strict restrictions will be imposed in parts of city under the jurisdictions of police stations Shaheed Gunj, Maisuma, Kothibagh, Batamaloo, Ram Munshi Bagh, Karan Nagar and Shergarhi on 8th Muharram.
Similarly, the restrictions will also be imposed in most parts of old city under the police stations including Mehraj Gunj, Khanyar, Nowhatta, Safakadal and Habbakadal on 10th Muharram.
The sources said that these restrictions will be imposed to thwart the various Tazia (mourning) processions on 8th and 10th Muharram.
However, the sources said that a Tazia procession would be allowed in Zadibal area of old Srinagar. “The government has already made elaborate security arrangement for the peaceful conclusion of the procession.â€
Numbers of Tazia processions are expected to be held on 10th Muharram in various parts of Srinagar particularly in Old City. However, for the last more than 20 years, authorities have disallowed Muharram processions in uptown areas while smaller congregations in localities of downtown Srinagar and in the outskirts are allowed.
Authorities have this time made advance preparations to stop people from taking out processions. The police authorities have appealed people not to take the routes leading to Lal Chowk on 8th Muharram. However, the traffic would be allowed to ply on Ram Bagh Bridge, Bemina Chowk, Tatto ground and Karan Nagar Chowk and should be restricted to lead towards Lal Chowk.
They have also advised people that no vehicle shall be allowed to ply from Hawal to Nowshera via Alamgari Bazar on 10th Muharram.
“All type of vehicles coming from Soura towards Nowhatta-Khanyar shall adopt Ali Jan route and those leading to Soura via downtown shall adopt Ali Jan and Nalamar route,†they said.  (news agency)
