Srinagar, Dec 28: At least 30 persons were injured across Valley on Monday when police used force to quell various Muharram processions, even as thousands of mourners took out Ashoora processions in old city here to observe the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussain (AS).
 Scores of mourners assembled at Aabi Guzar this morning and tried to take out the Ashoora procession amidst restrictions. Policemen deployed there resorted to baton charge and fired numerous tear smoke canisters to disperse them. In the police action at least 10 persons were wounded.
 Police had also blocked the road from Regal Chowk to Clock Tower by erecting barricades and by laying spools of concertina wire. Armoured vehicles were parked at the entry and exit points at Aabi Guzar where from Ashoora processions used to be taken out traditionally. However, the Government imposed a ban on taking out Ashoora procession from Aabi Guzar in 1989 and it is still in place.
 Police used force to quell another procession led by Syed Aga Hassan Mujtaba near Budshah Chowk. A huge contingent of policemen intercepted the mourners and resorted to baton charge to disperse them. In the police action at least 12 mourners were injured. Police also arrested Mujtaba and 10 others,” witnesses said.
 At Gojwara, clashes broke out between police and mourners when former didn’t allow them to join the procession. Police baton charged and fired several rounds of fire in air to disperse the mourners who retaliated with stones. Seven persons were injured in police action. A youth was critically injured when he was hit by a speeding police Gypsy. Angry youth later pounced on the vehicle and turned it upside down, injuring several policemen seated inside the Gypsy, witnesses said.
 Police and paramilitary CRPF troopers were deployed in strength in old city areas including Khanyar, Rainawari, Hazratbal, Lal Bazar, Nowshera, Bohri Kadal, Rajouri Kadal and Kawdara.
PROCESSIONS IN OLD CITY
 Mourners, old and young, men and women, holding black flags and wearing black dresses, took out several processions from various localities including Lal Bazar, Bagwanpora, Bota Kadal, Hawal and Alamgari Bazar of the old city which converged at Zadibal where main Zuljinah procession was carried out. Armed policemen wearing riot gear accompanied all the processions. Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Farooq Ahmad and Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Naseema Lankar also visited many areas to assess the security and other arrangements.
 Shia leaders including Moulvi Ifthikhar Ansari and others led several processions. Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, Muhammad Yasin Malik, also led Zuljinah procession from Alamgari Bazar to Zadibal. Leaders of Awami Action Committee also participated in the procession near Zadibal.
 Processions were also taken out at Bemina, Nishat, Harwan, Saida Kadal, Hasanabad and Rainawari in which hundreds of mourners participated. People had erected roadside stalls all along the way where they offered food and medicine to the mourners.
 In central Kashmir’s Budgam district, processions were taken out from Mirgund, Beerwah, Khag and Budgam town. At Sikenderpora police fired teargas shells to disperse the mourners.
 In north Kashmir’s Varmul district, processions were taken out at Delina, Sopur and Goom Ahmadpora where Molvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari addressed the gathering later in the day.
 Processions were also taken out in Islamabad, Chatergund, Shangus, Sofipora-Wularhama and Pahalgam in south Kashmir.
 Processions were also taken out from different places including Pattan, Gund, Ganderbal; Kawpora, Sumbal, Bandipora, Kulgam, Awantipora and Pulwama.
 Police and the district administration said all the processions passed off peacefully. Many senior social and political leaders have expressed satisfaction over the peaceful conduct of the processions.
JAMMU
 A large procession was taken out from Imam Barghah Pir Mitha today under the banner of Anjumn-e-Imamia Jammu. Several other Anjumans also participated in the procession.  The procession passed through its traditional and designated route.
 The procession culminated at Karbala, Wazarat Road Jammu in the evening where Majlis-e-Sham-e-Ghariban was addressed by Moulana Ghazanfar Hussain Rizvi. Elaborate security arrangements were put in place to avoid any untoward incident.
 Zuljinah procession was also taken out in Poonch. The procession started from Takia Sharief, Sayed Pehalwan Shah and passed through City Chowk, Main Bazar and culminated at Imam Bargah.
 Thousand of mourners joined Zuljinah procession in Surankote. The procession passed through main market, culminated at Imam Bargah Surankote.
 In Mendhar Tehsil, procession was taken out from Sangla Chowk Gursai to Mendhar. Zuljinah procession was also taken out in Mandi Tehsil which started from Imamia Park passing through the market and ended at local Imam Bargah.
LEH AND KARGIL
 Muharram processions were taken out in the twin districts of Kargil and Leh in Ladakh region in spite of biting sub-zero temperature.
 GK correspondent Noor-ul-Islam said in Kargil the Islamia School and Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust took out separate Ashoora processions in which thousands of mourners participated. The procession passed through Trespon, Gunmangalopur, Minje, Kaksar, Budgam and Puskum and around the Kargil town culminating at Qatalgah complex. The Ulema prayed for the glory of Islam.
 A big procession was also taken out at Drass, second coldest place of the region, where the night temperature had dipped to minus 21 degree Celsius yesterday. The mourners protested against the administration over a land issue.
 Peaceful processions were also taken out at Sankoo, Panikhar and Chiktan.
 Ghulam Nabi Zeya reports from Leh that Ashoora procession started at 10 a.m. from Shia Masjid and passed through Lal Chowk and Hanfiya Masjid where clerics delivered sermons for peace and amity. The Leh market remained closed till the procession was over amid tight security arrangement.
 Smaller processions were also taken out at Thiksay, Shey, Chochut Gogma, Chocut, Shama.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:00:00 IST