Imam Hussain (AS) ‘chehlum’ observed

Rawalpindi

The processions of Imam Hussain (AS) ‘chehlum’, taken out from different localities of the city on Monday, passed through their traditional routes peacefully amid tight security arrangements.

The main ‘Zuljinnah’ procession was taken out from Imambargah Colonel (r) Maqbool Hussain. It passed through its traditional routes, including Bhabra Bazaar, Jamia Masjid Road, Banni Chowk, Fawara Chowk, Lal Haveli, Raja Bazaar, China Market, DAV College Road, Tyranwala Bazaar and finally culminated at the Qadeemi Imambargah. Some of other ‘Zuljinah’ processions also taken out from Gora Syedan, Matwali Imambargah, Imambargah Shah Chan Chiragh, Imambargah Baltistan, Imambargah Satellite Town, D-Block, Hussainia Imambargah and Imambargah Qasra also joined the main procession and mourners proceeded towards Qadeemi Imambargah.

All roads on the routes of ‘chehlum’ processions remained completely closed for all kinds of traffic. Around 12 other big and small ‘chehlum’ processions from Adiala, Dhoke Syedan, Dhoke Ratta, Jhanda Chichi, Jhangi Syedan, Chaklala, Dhaman Syedan, Muslim Town, Chur and some other localities also joined the main procession at Imambargah Colonel (r) Maqbool and later marched towards the Qadeemi Imambargah.

The religious scholars shed light on the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS). They also delivered sermons in ‘imambargahs’ before the start of ‘chehlum’ processions where homage was paid to Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions, who laid down their lives for the supremacy of Islam. Thousands of followers did ‘matam’ and ‘zanjeerzani’. The ‘azadars’ recited ‘nohas’ and ‘marsias’ during ‘matam’.

District Coordination Officer (DCO) Talat Mehmood Gondal has imposed Section 144 here in Rawalpindi on Monday. The pillion riding was also banned for one-day on the occasion.

The commissioner Rawalpindi Division and city police officer (CPO) also visited all around in Rawalpindi to check security arrangements. Police and other law enforcement agencies cordoned off the procession areas to avert any untoward situation. No one was allowed to enter processions without thorough checking. Police officials patrolled on different roads and also positioned on the rooftops to ensure security. No one was allowed on the rooftop of houses. The organisers of the mourning processions fully cooperated with the city district government to avoid any untoward incident. ‘Sabeels’ and ‘langars’ were arranged for mourners along procession routes.

District Coordination Officer (DCO), Rawalpindi Talat Mehmood Gondal talking to ‘The News’ said, “We were in touch with law enforcement agencies through special control room. We had provided all necessary facilities, including uninterrupted electricity supply and ambulances along with doctors on all procession routes. I personally visited different procession routes in the city to check the law and order situation.”

The traffic wardens had closed Murree Road from Liauat Bagh to Waris Khan due to ‘chehlum’ procession. The traffic wardens closed all u-turns with big containers. The motorists used some other alternative routes including Mukha Sing Estate Road, Rawal Road and Tipu Road. All markets and shops were completely closed here on procession routes of Raja Bazaar, Trunk Bazaar, Iqbal Road, College Road, China Market, Bara Bazaar, Jamia Masjid Road, Mochi Bazaar and Fawara Chowk. Around 1,500 police officials including special branch officials were continuously roaming all around to avoid any untoward incident on the occasion.