Mourning the past: Ashura procession taken out

Amidst tight security, main Zuljinnah procession leaves Nisar Haveli for Karbala Gamay Shah.

LAHORE:

The main Ashura procession in the city left Nisar Haveli late on Saturday night.

There was a security high alert; a ban on pillion riding and the suspension of mobile phone services.

Sharp shooters were placed on roof tops along the traditional route from Nisar Haveli to Karbala Gamay Shah.

According to a press release issued by the DCO’s office, two field hospitals have been set up along the route of the procession where doctors and paramedics will remain on duty around the clock. Rescue 1122, Edhi and Health Department ambulances will also be on standby to deal with any emergency. The city district government installed thousands of emergency lights on procession routes. A central control room was monitoring the various CCTV cameras installed on the main route of the mourning processions.

 

The main Zuljinnah procession will reach Karbala Gamay Shah on Sunday evening. Several other processions will join it along the way. Earlier, various processions were taken out from Thokar Niaz Beg, Islampura and other parts of the city on Saturday.

Senior police officials, including CCPO Aslam Tareen, patrolled the main rxoute of the processions. Barbed wires and containers were placed at several intersections to cut off the route from adjoining street roads.

Vehicle parking was kept more than 500 metres from the route.

A city police official said four-layered security would be maintained: first, a person would be frisk checked, then, checked with metal detectors, then, pass through two walk-through gates.

A good distance would be maintained between the checking points.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25^th, 2012.