Mourning: Chehlum observed amid tight security

Processions taken out from different parts of the city conclude at Qissa Khawani Bazaar.

PESHAWAR: The Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) was observed with religious solemnity amid tight security on Thursday.

A large number of mourners paid homage to the sacrifices of the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) grandson with processions taken out from different parts of the city.

The major processions were taken out from Imambargah Hussainabad and Imambargah Akhwadabad, Kucha Risaldar. They passed through their traditional routes of Sabzimandi and Kuchi Bazaar where they merged with other processions before concluding at Qissa Khawani Bazaar for Maghrib prayers at around 5:30pm.

All routes leading to the city were sealed, while commercial activities in Qissa Khawani Bazaar, Mohallah Jhangi, Khyber Bazaar and other commercial centers of the city came to a complete standstill.

Heavy contingents of policemen were deployed in the city following intelligence reports of possible terrorist attacks.

“Since last night, we have deployed at least 1,000 policemen as four mourning processions were scheduled to be brought out,” said a police official requesting anonymity.

“We received reports that terrorists could strike in the day, so we have taken all precautionary measures,” he said, adding that police has been provided several armoured cars and personnel carriers to patrol the streets, while elite force commandoes were deployed along routes of the processions.

Some traders, however, complained the closure of shops had greatly affected their business.

“The law and order situation and forceful closure of markets every now and then has left us hand to mouth,” trader and ex-chairman of the All Pakistan Commercial Exporters Association Dost Muhammad Khan told The Express Tribune.

He said the police should only seal the main routes of the processions. “There is no use of closing down markets.”

Khan complained the police unnecessarily arrest people and take them to police stations. “They even arrest children as they consider every teenage boy to be a suicide bomber,” he alleged.

“It is no longer profitable to start a business, and the police are further adding insult to our injuries.”

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority suspended cellular services in all major cities including Peshawar to thwart any possible threats of terrorism.

Similar processions were also taken out in other cities of the province.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4^th, 2013.