Muharram 2024: From security measures, procession route to traffic advisory in J&K’s Srinagar—all you need to know

Muharram 2024: The Jammu and Kashmir administration made extensive security arrangements and designated a specific route for the Muharram procession held on Monday. 

The police also issued a traffic advisory for commuters.

Kashmir Zone IGP VK Birdi said on Monday, July 15, “Extensive security arrangements have been made, and a specific route has been given for the procession,” reported ANI.

He added, “We have also issued a traffic advisory so that the rest of the people in the city do not face any problems in carrying out their daily chores. The organisers have also deployed some of their volunteers.”

On Monday, the Muharram procession took its traditional route through Srinagar city, from Guru Bazar to Dalgate.

This marks the second time after 34 years that the Muharram's 8th-day procession followed its traditional route, officials said on Sunday. 

In 1989, the Jammu and Kashmir authorities banned the procession on the 8th day of the Islamic month of Muharram due to law-and-order concerns. However, in 2023, the lieutenant governor lifted the ban, giving a green signal to thousands of Shia mourners to participate in the procession peacefully.

In the traffic advisory, Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police stated, “No vehicle shall be allowed to move before and after cut off timing.” The cut-off timings for light motor, passenger and private vehicles are given below across several routes: 

• Nagrota (Jammu) towards Srinagar: from 7:00 am to 12:00 noon.
• Jakheni (Udhampur) towards Srinagar: from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm.
• Qazigund towards Jammu: from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm. 

Srinagar's District magistrate, Dr Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat, issued an order on Sunday stating, “After considering the Shia leaders’ application about allowing the processions through traditional routes, the administration has decided to allow the processions on 8th Muharram.”

The order stated that the Senior Superintendent of Police, Srinagar, had conveyed his no objection in favour of the Yaadgar-i-Hussaini Committee for taking out the procession, subject to various conditions. These included ensuring that no activity during the procession was prejudicial to the security and sovereignty of the state and that no national symbol or emblem was disrespected.

The state authorities granted permission to conduct a procession on the 8th Muharram from Srinagar's Guru Bazar to Dalgate through Budshah Kadal and MA Road. The permission was granted between 6:00 am and 8:00 am on July 15.