PESHAWAR: Ashura was observed in the provincial capital and other parts of the province with religious zeal and fervour on Tuesday amid tight security.

No terrorist activity was reported though there were fears of violence.

The processions used traditional routes and ended at designated imambargahs.

Mobile service suspended; pillion riding, use of vehicles with tinted glasses banned

The cellphone service remained suspended on Monday and Tuesday, while public movement was restricted in sensitive areas stressing out the people, especially those in emergency.

It looked as if curfew was imposed was imposed in the city’s central area, where the movement of irrelevant people remained restricted.

Only the people with special security passes were allowed to enter the area by a checkpoint.

Many people were held for violating ban on pillion riding and use of vehicles with tinted glasses.

Volunteers of Shia community remained alert at the entry and exit points of mourning procession routes and imambargahs. They bodysearched mourners and journalists.

Separate entry points were made for men and women under tight security.

The activists of Imamia Scouts and Imamia Student Organisation arranged smooth supply of water and medicine to mourners besides facilitating them in case of emergency.

The police monitored processions at key spots by security checks, closed circuit television cameras and aerial surveillance.

Several Alam and Zuljinah processions were taken out in the city. Among them were separate processions of women and children that ended at designated places using traditional routes.

The mourners flagellated to express their love for the martyrs of Karbala besides reciting noha.

Major processions were taken out from Imambargah Syed Ali Shah Rizvi Cherry Cuban, Imambargah Alamdar Kocha Risaldar, Imambargah Akhn Abad, Imambargah Syed Alam Shah Chowk Nasir Khan, Imambargah Haji Rehman Malik, Imambargah Mirza Qasim Jehangirpura, Imambargah Sain Suhrab Imamia Colony, Imambargah Hussainabad, Imambargah Syed Mir Haider Shah, Imambargah Purn Gah and Imambargah Mustafa Shah Mahalla Khudadad.

Religious scholars recalled the sacrifices of the martyrs of Karbala and said Imam Hussain and his companions laid down their lives to save Islam.

They urged the people to follow in the footsteps of Karbala’s martyrs and fight evil forces in society.

The scholars urged Muslims to maintain unity and used their energies for the country’s stability, strength, development and prosperity.

APP adds: In Peshawar, the main and largest Ashura procession was taken out from Imambargah Alamdar Koacha Risaladar.

The procession later joined by 11 small and big processions ended at the designated Imambargah after using traditional route.

The police had sealed all entry and exit points to procession routes by barbed wire and concrete blocks, and closed shops, hotels and restaurants in Qissa Khwani Bazaar, Chowk Yadgar, Ashraf Road, City Circular Road and Gulbahar, Yakatoot and Kohati areas.

Milk and water were distributed among mourners.

The law-enforcement agencies established command and control posts at sensitive places, while more than 7,000 policemen and over 1,000 Frontier Constabulary troops were deployed in sensitive areas, including Koochi Bazaar, Kohati, Qissa Khwani, Kabari Bazaar, Jehangirpura, Sarki Gate, Hashtnagri and Gulbahar to protect processions.

Edhi Foundation volunteers and Rescue 1122 and bomb disposal unit personnel assisted security and police men.

Medical camps were also established to provide first aid to mourners, while hospital staff remained alert round the clock for emergency situation.

Food, milk and water were offered to procession participants.

Ashura mourning processions were also taken out in Hangu, Kohat, DI Khan, Manshera, Lakki Marwat, Tank and other districts amid tight security.

The police and FC personnel were deployed on procession routes and in sensitive areas in large numbers, while the army remained on standby.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2014