Mourners hail arrangements; DGP monitors on ground; IGP, senior police officers interact with mourners, distribute water; drones deployed to oversee arrangements
Srinagar, Jun 24: Top brass of Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday joined the traditional 8th Muharram procession in Srinagar and interacted with mourners, while thousands of devotees participated in the religious observance amid elaborate security, traffic and civic arrangements put in place by the administration.
According to the details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) Director General of Police (DGP) J&K Nalin Prabhat remained on the ground to monitor the arrangements for the 8th Muharram procession and visited Dalgate Imam Bargah, where he interacted with mourners and members of the local community.
The DGP was warmly received by devotees, while several children were seen posing for photographs with him during his visit. While leaving the Imam Bargah premises, the DGP Prabhat was also seen briefly holding an Alam, a moment noticed by many participants present at the venue.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir VK Birdi, IG Security Sujit Kumar, Special Director General of Police (Coordination) SJM Gillani, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Central Kashmir Range Rajiv Omprakash Pande, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar Dr. G V Sundeep Chakravarthy, DySP Headquarters Srinagar Syed Sleet Shah and other senior officers remained present along the procession route, reviewed arrangements and interacted with mourners.
Among the officers present, DySP Headquarters Srinagar Syed Sleet Shah was seen interacting with mourners during the procession, reflecting the police’s outreach and engagement with participants on the occasion.
Senior police officers distributed drinking water among mourners from a facilitation stall established by the police at MA Road. The initiative received a positive response from devotees, particularly amid the warm weather conditions during the procession.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the procession, IGP Kashmir V.K. Birdi said the Jammu and Kashmir Police had made comprehensive arrangements to ensure the smooth, peaceful and dignified conduct of the 8th Muharram procession.
“The police, volunteers and organisers worked in close coordination to facilitate the procession. Simultaneously, measures were taken to ensure smooth traffic flow in other parts of Srinagar and prevent inconvenience to the general public,” IGP Birdi said.
Describing Muharram as an occasion of profound significance, the IGP said the sacrifice of Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions continues to inspire people across the world.
“This is a solemn occasion. We remember the supreme sacrifice of Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions. Their message teaches us humanity, duty, sacrifice and tolerance. We salute these values and strive to imbibe them in our lives. The message of Imam Hussain (AS) is as relevant for us as it is for the entire humanity,” he said.
Meanwhile, SSP Srinagar Dr. G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy said extensive security, traffic and civic arrangements had been implemented along the traditional route from Guru Bazar to Dalgate and Imamabada.
“The Srinagar Police, in coordination with paramilitary forces and the traffic police, has meticulously planned security arrangements from the starting point to the end point of the procession. Drone surveillance is also being used to enhance security and provide comfort to mourners as well as the general public,” he said.
The SSP said similar elaborate arrangements have already been planned for the upcoming 10th Muharram procession.
Meanwhile, mourners and members of the Shia administration praised the Jammu and Kashmir Police, district administration and other departments for the extensive arrangements made for the procession. They appreciated the security deployment, traffic regulation, drone surveillance, sanitation measures, medical facilities, public service camps and drinking water distribution points established along the route.
“The coordination between police, volunteers and organisers ensured that the procession was conducted peacefully and without disruption, while also minimising inconvenience to the general public,” said Adil Bashir, a mourner from Bemina Srinagar.
The mourners also welcomed the participation of senior police officers and the presence of the DGP at the venue, describing it as a positive outreach effort that strengthened public confidence and reflected the administration’s commitment towards facilitating religious events in a peaceful and respectful atmosphere. (KNO)
