The cellular network on Thursday was closed by the authorities, as a precautionary measure, while thousands of mourners rallied during the ninth Muharram procession amid airtight security in the city. The Sindh government expanded the security shield to many other areas which left citizens altogether cut-off with rest of the city for the entire day.
Transport, businesses, academic institutions, government and private offices were closed for official holiday. Trucks and containers were used to block roads in the major part of the city, as rangers and police personnel took positions at different spots to maintain peace in nearly a deserted city.
The spread-out security arrangements forced the pedestrians, mourners and commuters, to suffer much more than the previous day to find an open road to reach their destinations. The ninth Muharram procession also called "silent" parade set off from Nomaish Chowrangi and moved gradually with thousands of devotees clad in black through main route of M. A. Jinnah Road.
The cellular network suspension left the entire city cut-off from rest of the country and world. Public however called the government's move as "unnecessary" security measure to foil violent attacks at mourners. Police and Rangers patrolled roads and streets with random checks of passer-by, motorbikes and other private vehicles, at different points around the procession route.
Mourners including women, children, men and aged with black flags in hands inscribed with religious scripts remembered the sacrifices of Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions at the Karbala's historic battle some 14 centuries back. Along with Rangers police personnel, traffic constables, a large number of scouts also worked hard to streamline the traffic and facilitate the mourners Roadside stalls with facilities like medical assistance and potable water for mourners were set up all the way to the procession end in Kharadar. Ambulances were also ready to meet any untoward situation during the rituals.
Comments
Comments are closed.