Indian police broke up a procession of Shia Muslim mourners observing the month of Muharram in Srinagar, the capital of Indian Kashmir on Sunday, according to reports.

Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is one of the holiest months for Shia Muslims when they commemorate the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad's grandson Imam Hussain (PBUT) in Karbala, present-day Iraq.

Sunday marked the eighth day of the month, two days before the processions will peak on Ashura.

Police had earlier placed restrictions on congregations in the city of Srinagar, and subsequently cracked down on mourners who defied the order.

Dozens of videos have surfaced on Twitter and other social media platforms showing India's security forces forcefully breaking up the peaceful procession.

Ashura this year falls just days after 5 August, which marks three years since the Indian government revoked Kashmir's special status under the constitution, including the right to make its own laws on all matters except for defence, foreign affairs, and communications.

Three decades on, the authorities continue to prevent Shia Muslims from holding traditional Muharram procession in the region’s city center, citing security reasons. People argue if the government can allow Hindu processions and political rallies in the heart of the city, why not Muharram procession?

Two major Muharram processions in the city center were banned by authorities following the outbreak of militancy in Kashmir in 1989. The authorities fear the processions could be taken advantage of by separatist groups to stoke anti-India sentiments and hence create security threats. The religious bodies on the other hand term the ban as a brazen attack on their religious freedom.

The religious bodies have also criticized the authorities for failing to make necessary arrangements, like ensuring availability of essential supplies. They say all promises and claims made by the authorities have fallen flat.

Source: Abna24