Strict restrictions were imposed in parts of Srinagar to prevent Shia mourners from taking out a Muharram procession in and around the city's commercial centre Lal Chowk. Large number of security personnel were deployed at all the entry points,barricaded by concertina wires,leading to Lal Chowk area to prevent the mourners to stage Muharram procession. A senior police officer said restrictions have been imposed in the areas under the jurisdiction of Maisuma and Kothibagh police stations as a preventive measure. As part of the restriction at Lal Chowk,police also prevented pedestrian movement into the city centre. All shops and business establishments were shut in Lal Chowk,HSH Street,Residency Road and Maulana Azad Road area - the major commercial areas of the city. Police and CRPF personnel were also deployed along the banks of river Jhelum to prevent people from reaching Lal Chowk via boats. On Sunday,police had prevented a procession of Shia mourners near Jehangir Chowk,which led to clashes in which at least 10 people,including a policeman,were injured. Muharram processions were banned in Srinagar since 1990 due to militancy as the authorities feared militants might attack the mourners and put the blame on security forces. However,the PDP-led government in 2003 allowed Muharram processions in old city areas like Zadibal - which is continuing till today. Meanwhile in Leh,large number of mourners gathered at Masjid Choterantak from where they proceeded towards Imam Bada via Jama Masjid Leh. The city wore a deserted look as all business and educational establishments were closed and people took part in processions to observe Muharram. Dressed in black,men and women took out the processions,crying and beating their chests in the ceremonial 'maatam (mourning)' to mark the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram and mourn the killing of Imam Hussain,the grandson of Prophet Mohammed,who was martyred some 1,400 ago at Karbala in Iraq.
