Chehlum processions: Mourners pass through Rawalpindi culminate peacefully

4,000 security personnel including Rangers and army officials were deployed.

RAWALPINDI:

The Chehlum of Imam Hussain and other martyrs of Karbala was observed with religious fervour in the garrison city on Saturday amid tight security.

The main processions were brought out from Imambargah Ashiq Hussain Teli Mohallah, Shah Chan Charagh and Imambargah Qadeemi on Jamia Masjid Road and culminated at the same points after passing through their traditional routes.

The mourners, while carrying alam and tazias, recited nohas while paying homage to the martyrs of Karbala. A large number of women and children were also part of the processions.

Religious leaders and speakers also paid homage to Imam Hussain and his companions, while urging Muslims to foster unity within their ranks and shun sectarian tendencies.

Tight security had been put in place for the processions, with the deployment of 4,000 security personnel including Rangers and army officials.

District Coordination Officer Sajid Zafar Dal said that extra security arrangements had been made to facilitate mourners and to avoid a repeat of last year’s tragedy.

Police personnel had also been deployed on the roofs of buildings along the procession routes, while the local administration had used containers to block all roads leading to the main procession venue. The local administration had also imposed a ban on pillion riding.

Three major hospitals — Benazir Bhutto Hospital, DHQ Hospital and the Holy Family Hospital — had been put on high alert to cope with possible emergencies. As a precaution, most traders had closed shops falling in the procession routes.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 14^th, 2014.