Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Jul 29: Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Thursday reached the Bota Kadal area of Srinagar’s downtown to take part in the Zuljinah procession of Shia mourners on the eve of 10th Muharam also known as Youm-e-Ashura.
This is for the first time that J&K Lt Governor reached out to the Shia community on the occasion of 10th Muharram and also participated in the Ashura procession in downtown Srinagar’s Bota Kadal area.
Eye-witnesses said that Lt Governor arrived at Bota Kadal area of downtown Srinagar, amid tight security cover, to take part in the Zulzinah procession of Youm-e-Ashura. Witnesses said that the LG met Shia mourners and exchanged his views on the occasion of Youm-e-Ashura, the day when Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was martyred in Karbala, Iraq along with 72 family members and companions.
Shia mourners expressed gratitude to Lt Governor and thanked him for allowing the 8th and 10 Muharram processions from traditional routes after a gap of 34 years.
Witnesses told that Lt Governor reached Bota Kadal area of Srinagar and took part in the Zuljinah procession. “He offered chaddar to Zuljinah and paid rich tributes to Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) on the occasion. He also distributed refreshments among the mourners and extended full support to them,” they said.
Sinha reached Bota Kadal area of Srinagar amid tight security cover at around 11 am. He was accompanied by ADGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bhiduri, SSP Srinagar Rakesh Bhalwal, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Muhammad Aijaz Asad and other officials.
ADGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar said that the procession was going on peacefully. Meanwhile, Shia mourners expressed gratitude to the administration for ensuring quality arrangements and thanked LG for reaching out to them. “We feel delighted to see LG sahib among us today. It is a moment of pride for us. Arrangements made by the administration are up to the mark,” he said.
