Main Muharram procession disallowed in Srinagar

The authorities Tuesday imposed restrictions and disallowed the main Muharram procession in parts of Srinagar.

Restrictions were imposed in and around the Abi Guzar area. The main Muharram procession in the city, taken out by Shia mourners on the 10th day of the Muslim month of Muharram, was disallowed.

"Restrictions were imposed in Abi Guzar area to maintain law and order," a police officer told IANS.

Since the beginning of separatist violence in Kashmir in the early 1990s, the authorities have been putting curbs on the main Muharram procession to avoid clashes.

Smaller processions were taken out in Zadibal in the old city area of Srinagar and in other parts of the Kashmir Valley, where Shia Muslims have a sizeable population.

No untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the valley, police said.

Clashes, however, erupted in Nowgam area of Srinagar in the morning between protesters and police.

The protesters were agitating against the killing of two youths in army firing in Chattergam village of Budgam district Monday.

Both the youths - identified as Faisal Yusuf Bhat and Mehrajuddin Dar - belonged to Nowgam area of Srinagar.