Thousands of mourners participated in 8th Muharram procession amid airtight but extended security shields on the main routes. The major passage of procession, M. A. Jinnah Road, remained under intense security watch with a heavy contingent of police and rangers deployed on different spots to foil terror attacks during the rituals.
However, the city's major trade and commercial area remained fully shut with no business activities because of the security shield which the law enforcers stretched deep into the adjoining roads and markets. It was the first major procession of Muharram which started as usual from Numaish Chowrangi under the banner of Anjuman-e-Saadat Amroha.
A large number of devotees clad in black including women, children, men and aged attended the march which passed afoot through M. A. Jinnah Road and concluded at Hussainia Irania in Kharadar. Mourning the death of Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A.), the devotees carrying black flags inscribed with religious transcriptions moved gradually and raised chants while beating their chests. Participants joined the procession from all over the city to pay homage to Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A.) for his sacrifice.
Security remained tight on and around the procession routes. The stringent arrangements severally affected the civic and commercial life in the city. There are two more major processions scheduled for the same route on ninth and tenth Muharram ie Saturday and Sunday (November 24, and 25), respectively.
Rangers and police have set up several points to check vehicles and passer-by on roads leading or linking to M. A. Jinnah Road. Traffic remained thin, while public transport appeared in a very few numbers to ply on the city for reasons, including high security, and public holiday.
The filling of CNG in buses, mini buses and other public transporting vehicles remained a tedious process for transporters. Consequently, public depending on the public transport had to rely on private means of transportation to reach their destinations. The grain and other essential items supply has however been halted because of the markets closures. The supply of key items including medicines will remain shut till next week, traders said.
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