Restrictions in Srinagar to prevent Shia Muharram procession

Authorities imposed strict restrictions in some areas of the summer capital Srinagar Friday to prevent Shia Muharram processions.

A senior police officer said restrictions under section 144 of criminal procedure code were imposed in Khanyar, Nowhatta, M.R. Gunj, Habba Kadal and Safa Kadal areas here.

"The restrictions have been imposed to prevent miscreants from creating any law and order problem in the city," the officer said.

Shia Muslim mourners traditionally take out Muharram processions coinciding with the 10th day of the Muslim month of Muharram to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet of Islam.

Imam Hussain was martyred this day 1435 years ago along with his family members in Karbala town of Iraq.

Since the beginning of separatist violence in Kashmir in the early 1990s, authorities have been disallowing Muharram processions by Shias in Srinagar to prevent miscreants from triggering sectarian clashes.