Muharram in Peshawar: Eight processions amid ‘tight security’

PESHAWAR: At least eight processions will be organised in different parts of Peshawar on Friday amid tight security.

The areas where most processions will emerge have been completely sealed. The areas include Khyber Bazaar, Kohati, Yakatut, Dabgari and Yadgar Chowk.

Main areas of Peshawar appeared under curfew on Thursday as Muharram processions moved slowly into view.

Residents and even mourners complained of strict security in areas such as Saddar, City and Grand Trunk roads which were closed for traffic. In some localities, security personnel outnumbered locals.

Dr Shah, a local told The Express Tribune at a Hussaini Scouts camp in Saddar Bazaar, that the security which was meant to protect them was instead creating problems. “The procession had to start at 10am, but due to strict security, mourners faced much difficulty entering Saddar Bazaar and the procession started at around 11am.”

He said that at least 55 volunteers from the Hussaini Scouts are providing medical treatment to mourners and were expected to treat at least 2,500 people on Thursday.

SSP Operations Peshawar Ijaz Ahmed told The Express Tribune that at least 3,500 policemen had been deputed. Additionally, he said, around 39 platoons comprising 800 Frontier Constabulary (FC) men had also been provided to the police. “Security is very tight and all rooftops along the processions’ routes are covered. We are also using helicopters to monitor processions,” Ahmed said.

Earlier, during the day, the main procession emerged from the Imambargah Hussainia Hall in Saddar, Peshawar, at around 11am, which culminated at the same point later. The processions were aerially monitored as helicopters hovered over the city the entire day.

The whole Saddar Bazaar area, including Sunehri Masjid Road, Saddar Road and Mall Road, and smaller roads were closed for traffic. Saddar Road was open only for mourners while only pedestrians were allowed on Sunheri Masjid Road and Mall Road.

Another procession emerged from Imambargh Bibi Zakriya in Gunj, Peshawar.

The third and last procession of the day emerged from Imambargah Sakhi Munawar Shah in Gulbahar, which will culminate early Friday morning. A large number of women attended the procession.

School blown up

Meanwhile, suspected militants blew up an under-construction girls’ primary school in Adezai, Peshawar, on Thursday morning.

Local sources told The Express Tribune that two bombs had gone off at the school building at around 1:30am. The school was earlier destroyed by militants and was being reconstructed. Police defused two bombs on the site and another one in Mattani Bazaar. SSP Ahmed confirmed that the bombs had been defused, but did not give details.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 17^th, 2010.