Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, July 04: With a symbolic gesture of unity and service, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Inspector General of Police ((IGP) Kashmir, V K Birdhi, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr. Akshay Labroo, and SSP Srinagar Dr Sundeep Chakarvourti on Friday joined the traditional 8th Muharram procession at Lal Chowk Srinagar, where they served water to the mourners under the scorching sun.
Speaking on the occasion, the Divisional Commissioner, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that all arrangements with ranging from drinking water and medical aid to security and traffic regulation were put in place well ahead of the religious event to ensure a smooth and safe procession.
“We request all mourners to remain focused on the true purpose of the procession and refrain from altering its nature in any way,” Bidhuri said, urging people to maintain the religious spirit and decorum of the event.
IGP Kashmir, V K Birdhi while talking to the reporters said that all the security arrangements were put in place to ensure that 8th Muharram procession passes off smoothly. Asked about 10th Muharram procession, IGP Birdi, said, ” Administration is taking to the organizers in all the places where 10th Muharram processions are taken out so that these religious events are facilitated.”
Notably, thousands participated in the 8th Muharam procession in Srinagar’s city centre this morning. Traffic diversions and volunteer assistance were in place to help the devotees.
“For the third year now, we are seeing good arrangements on 8th Muharram. It feels like our voices are finally being heard,” said Tahir Ali, a mourner from Zadibal. “We come here with faith, and seeing officers serve water shows respect for our tradition,” he added.
It is worth mentioning, the 8th day of Muharram holds special significance in Kashmir, as it marks one of the largest and most symbolic mourning processions ahead of Ashura, the 10th day. For decades, the traditional 8th Muharram procession in Srinagar was banned due to security concerns. It was only in 2022 that the administration led by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha allowed resumption this religious event.
Since then, the 8th Muharram procession is taken out peacefully, with thousands of mourners participating along the designated route through the heart of the city—(KNO)
