Srinagar, 10th June 2025: Today, President of the All Jammu & Kashmir Shia Association and General Secretary of J&K Peoples Conference, Molvi Imran Reza Ansari, met Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha to discuss critical arrangements ahead of the upcoming Muharram observances. While last two year’s decision to allow the 8th Muharram procession in Srinagar marked a shift in approach, the focus of the meeting remained firmly on ensuring practical preparedness, administrative coordination, and safe religious conduct across the Valley this year.
A key demand placed during the meeting was the revival of the traditional 10th Muharram procession route from Abi Guzar to Zadibal, which holds historic and religious importance for the Shia community.
Molvi Ansari strongly recommended the establishment of dedicated war rooms in each of the key districts Srinagar, Budgam, Bandipora, Pulwama, and Baramulla along with the appointment of a district-level coordinator to monitor and manage Muharram-related arrangements in real time. He also urged the release of special funds to respective Deputy Commissioners to enable timely execution of essential works without bureaucratic delay.
Additional issues raised included the need for urgent road and wooden bridge repairs along procession routes especially Dal area, permission for short-term tendering to carry out last-minute infrastructural works, and resolution of a decade-old compensation case related to a dangerous structure at Alamgari Bazaar. He also brought attention to CAPD supply shortages particularly rice and sugar used for preparing Niyaz, as well as persistent water scarcity in Zadibal, Bagwanpora and Dal localities. A water tanker deployment blueprint was requested for all the three areas to avoid service breakdowns during peak days.
Molvi Ansari also proposed that only small ambulances be deployed during processions to prevent crowd disruption, and called for advance placement of essential medicines and availability of doctors in all Shia dominated areas to ensure timely medical response, smart bus transport for mourners on key Muharram days, provision of subsidised firewood, and preemptive measures to prevent any provocations that may threaten inter-community harmony.
The Hon’ble LG gave a patient hearing and assured that the administration is reviewing all matters raised and remains committed to ensuring peaceful and well-managed Muharram events across the Union Territory.
