Political detentions and a communication lockdown have cast a shadow on the upcoming Muharram in the Kashmir Valley.

Several members of Kashmir’s one lakh strong Shia community told HT they fear that the procession taken out on the 10th day of Muharram could be suspended or severely restricted on account of the ongoing communication clampdown, hindustantimes reported.

For the past few days groups of people from across the Valley have been trying unsuccessfully to meet Imran Raza Ansari, the Sadr of Shia Association to get instructions on whether to organise the Muharram procession scheduled to be taken out on September 10, reddit told.

Ansari, who has been detained at the Centaur Hotel along with more than 40 political leaders from different parties and groups, is the one who will make the final decision.

“For us, it is important to meet him because in his absence, we cannot take a decision of any of these issues. All our religious services have been affected, even marriages cannot by solemnised without him,” said a member of a group who had come from Budgam district to Centaur Hotel.

A resident of Hasanabad, who requested anonymity, said the single large Muharram procession that used to cover large parts of the Valley has over the years been limited to certain areas on account of security concerns.

The Valley has been under a lockdown since August 5, when the decision to reorganise Jammu and Kashmir was announced in Indian Parliament by union home minister Amit Shah.

Source: en.shafaqna.com