HYDERABAD: Several hundred mourners brought out a procession to observe Yaum-i-Ali — anniversary of martyrdom of Hazrat Ali (RA) — and marched through Station Road on Friday by crossing over the barbed wires put up by security forces to block their advancement.

The district administration and police had made it clear on Thursday night to Anjuman-i-Imamia Sindh (AIS) — which holds permit for holding the event every year — that procession would not be allowed to be taken out on Friday.

AIS general secretary Mirza Sadiq criticised the city police chief for not allowing participants of the procession to walk up to the Qadamgah Maula Ali, where a majlis (congregation) was scheduled to be held. He claimed that the programme was agreed upon at the Thursday night meeting held at the Hyderabad deputy commissioner’s camp office where the DC and some other officials were also present.

Mirza further claimed that the Hyderabad SSP at the meeting had agreed to issue 175 passes to those who were to attend the procession. He pointed out that around 300 mourners were allowed to take out Yaum-i-Ali procession in Karachi, and argued that given the size of Hyderabad population, the AIS was supposed to take out a procession of 175 mourners.

“We had agreed to it but at 11pm on Thursday, the district intelligence bureau (DIB) in charge invited me for an urgent meeting at the SSP’s office. The DC was also present at the meeting, where AIS office-bearers were told that since an incident had occurred in Karachi, therefore the 175-strong procession in Hyderabad could not be allowed,” he said.

Mirza said a congregation of 175 people inside Qadamgah Maula Ali at 5pm was also allowed.

“But when AIS leaders reached near the Qadamgah, they found the entire route sealed off by police, who would not allow participants to move ahead,” he said, and regretted that the police also turned down AIS leaders’ repeated requests to let them enter the holy place.

Later, he said, he learnt people in a procession had started moving from outside Mehfil-i-Hussaini in the presence of SSP Adeel Chandio and other officials.

Several hundred mourners emerged from the Qadamgah and Holmstead Hall In-cline and marched towards Mehfil-i-Hussaini, as SSP Hyderabad, Rangers personnel and administration officials looked on.

The processionists remained least concerned about following SOPs while being part of a big gathering on the road for a couple of hours.

Mourners, including women, crossed over barbed wires from different streets to join in the procession.

Meanwhile, the entire traditional route of Yaum-i-Ali procession remained cordoned off by police since Friday morning.

Police faced a group of people at old Café George Chowk and forced them to turn away when they tried to force their way to reach Karbala Dadan Shah but a larger group managed to hit Mehfil-i-Hussaini – located a little away from the Qadamgah. The mourners performed matam while AIS president Sajid Hussain, Mirza Sadiq and others remained present.

The SSP said police showed restraint as any action could have led to violence. “AIS leaders had agreed to hold a majlis inside Qadamgah but they didn’t abide by their commitment [not to take out procession],” he said. Multiple FIRs were being registered against AIS and leaders of another participating organisation. One FIR was registered at the City police station against 15 nominated offenders, including Sajid Hussain and Raza Irani, and many other unnamed mourners. Other FIRs were being registered at the Cantonment and Fort police stations.

Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2020