Mourners heave a sigh of relief as Chehlum passes peacefully

Some fears spread after news of attack on procession in Rahim Yar Khan.

KARACHI/HYDERABAD:

The mourners were mentally prepared for a terrorist attack on the procession for the Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) on Sunday. Their fears were escalated when they heard the news about a bomb blast in Rahim Yar Khan, where 18 people were killed. 

However, in Karachi, the day began and ended without any disaster. “There were no major attacks in the beginning of Muharram,” said a young man, Syed Abbas Ali Shah, as he held aloft an alam. “So we expect an attack now and are mentally prepared for it.”

The Karachi police put together the best security they could arrange. More than 6,000 policemen were deployed across the city, at the procession’s route which was swept by the bomb-disposal squad and K-9 units. All the routes leading to the procession were also sealed.

District South DIG Commandant Shaukat Ali Shah said that he was satisfied with the measures. More policemen were even called in after the attack in Rahim Yar Khan, he said.

A ban on pillion riding was already being enforced since Saturday night, to last till Sunday night. The total number of law-enforcement agents on duty on Sunday reached 11,000. They included the Rangers, police and Frontier Constabulary personnel. Besides them, above 5,000 volunteers of different Ahle Tasheeh organisations were also deputed on the route.

Snipers were deployed at around 450 buildings which lined the route as helicopters kept up the aerial surveillance.

However, the measures were still not airtight, as is impossible in a city like Karachi. Although the streets and roads were sealed with big shipping containers to prevent the entry of a big vehicle people were seen slipping through to join the procession from different points along the way. They bypassed the frisking.

Small processions from different parts of the city gathered at Nishtar Park to become a part of the main procession. Renowned scholar, Maulana Syed Shahanshah Hussain Naqvi, addressed the mourners and condemned the attack in Rahim Yar Khan. He demanded that the government take action against banned terrorist organisations.

After the address, the procession emerged from Nishtar Park and headed to Hussaini Iranian Imambargah in Kharadar after which the people dispersed.

Earlier in the day, another procession offered Zuhr prayers on MA Jinnah Road. The leader of the Imamia Students Organisation, Ali Rehan, addressed them and said that the people should unite against western conspiracies. They staged a protest demonstration against America and Nato. The security for this procession was also very stringent as security personnel were seen to be deployed at every rooftop. Medical camps and water stalls were also set up for the people by different volunteer and political organisations.

Meanwhile in Hyderabad, the Chehlum procession emerged from Qadam Gah Maula Ali near Pucca Qila. The mourners staged a sit-in at Society Chowk to protest against the Rahim Yar Khan attack.

Allama Shamsher Hussain Naqvi, who presided over the majlis before the procession, condemned the killing of Shias. He denounced the attacks on the processions in Hyderabad, Tando Allahyar, Mirpurkhas and Badin.

He demanded that the police arrest the people who attacked the processions at Khahi Road, Hyderabad, twice. The procession of Syed Wilayat Ali Shah was attacked with gunfire on December 30 and January 6 from inside a mosque. The processions, emerging from Bohri Bazaar, Heerabad, Hussainabad, Latifabad, Qasimabad, Phuleli, Tando Thoro and other areas merged with the main procession which ended at Karbala Dadan Shah near Pathan Colony at around 8 pm.

According to DPO Syed Asad Raza Shah, around 1,800 policemen and 500 volunteers and dozens of Rangers men were deployed along the route of the procession.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16^th, 2012.