Four killed as truck hits mourners in Hyderabad

Chehlum processions carried out across Sindh

HYDERABAD/ KARACHI:

Four people were killed and as many injured as a trawler truck struck a procession of 50 mourners, observing Hazrat Imam Hussain's (RA) Chehlum on Thursday.

They were travelling on foot from Matiari district to Qadam Gah Moula Ali (RA) in Hyderabad.

According to the police, the mourners belonged to Pirzada Mohalla of Matiari and the accident happened after 3am on Thursday.

Critically injured persons among them, who were initially taken to Matiari taluka hospital, were shifted to Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad.

The police identified the deceased as 45-year-old Khadeeja Bachro, 40-year- old Zainab Bachro, 18-year-old Aliza Khaskheli and 14-year-old Shakir Khaskheli. The injured include Khuda Bux Khaskheli, Riaz Khaskheli, Uroosa and Dilshad.

Aliza and Shakir were later laid to rest in a graveyard in Pirzado Mohalla in the evening, while the two deceased women from the Bachra community were buried in Dado graveyard in Matiari.

Chehlum processions

Meanwhile, the Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) was observed across Sindh on Thursday, with tens of thousands men, women and children taking part in Mishi-Arbaeen walks.

In Hyderabad, the main procession started from Qadam Gah Moula Ali (RA) in the afternoon and culminated at Qadam Gah Dadan Shah in the evening. Another 22 processions were also organised in the district, according to the police.

Tens of thousands of people, with unusually large participation by women, walked their way from distant areas of Hyderabad and gathered at Qadam Gah to join the procession.

The mourners were allowed to join the main procession only after crossing walkthrough gates placed at Qadam Gah. They were also checked with the help of metal detectors.

The Hyderabad police claimed that over 2,000 personnel were deployed for security. However, only a thin presence of the police was evident along the routes on Thandi Sarak Road, Cantonment Graveyard Road and other roads.

Scores also observed the Chehlum in Karachi, leading the main procession in the metropolis from Nishtar Park and culminating it at Hussainia Iranian Imambargah in Kharadar after passing through MA Jinnah Road, Regal Chowk, Tiber Centre, Jama Cloth Market and Light House.

Before the procession embarked on the journey, led by scouts, Syed Shehanshah Hussain Naqvi addressed the mourners.

Throughout the journey, mourners recited nohas and beat their chest, as a symbol of grieving the demise of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA).  They briefly stopped midway to offer Zuhrain prayers, led by Allama Maulana Baqir Zaidi. As they resumed the journey, they were joined by other smaller processions.

Water, milk and other beverages were also distributed among them.

Meanwhile, containers were placed on roads falling in the procession's route to block them for traffic and 8,000 police and Rangers personnel were deployed on the ground to provide security to the procession. Besides, over a dozen law enforcers and sharpshooters were deployed on high-rise buildings, bomb disposal teams stayed alert and sniffer dogs were also used for ensuring security. Moreover, CCTV cameras were installed on buildings along the procession's route and helicopters hovered above for surveillance.

Sindh Women Development Minister Shehla Raza also visited Nishtar Park to review security arrangements.

Meanwhile, the Rangers director general (DG) reviewed security arrangements along the procession's route.

Speaking to the media, the Rangers DG expressed satisfaction over security arrangements and assured that there was no threat to the mourners' safety.

Cellular phone services remained suspended in areas near the procession's route on the day.

Besides, around a dozen processions were taken out in Mirpurkhas district, where 450 policemen were deployed for security.

In Larkana district, 40 processions were organised. There, the main procession began from Imambargah Jaral Shah in the afternoon and concluded after passing through traditional routes at Pakistan Chowk.

The main procession in Sukkur was taken out from Imambargah Ghareebabad while in Nawabshah the biggest procession was taken out from Murtazvi Imambargah in Mohni Bazaar.