MULTAN, Jan 16: Participants of a Muharram procession staged a demonstration blocking the Delhi Gate Chowk to protest against poor security arrangements and power loadshedding during the mourning rallies and Majalis here late Tuesday night.

Reports said the procession, starting from Imambargah Wala Chowk, was to conclude at Imambargah koray Shah, Muhallah Sadaat. But, following its route, when the procession reached Delhi Gate Chowk the participants started chanting slogans against federal, provincial and district government authorities, holding them responsible for what they called poor security arrangements. They also slated Wapda high-ups for continuing loadshedding despite directions by caretaker chief minister to the contrary.

Addressing the protestors, Syed Hamidul Hassan Shah, the permit-holder of procession, said despite the tall claims regarding provision of `foolproof’ security during Muharram by federal, provincial and district governments, departments concerned did nothing to prevent any untoward incident.

He deplored that only three constables without any weapon had been deployed for the security of the procession which showed police’s actual concern for the safety of mourners.

He said a few days back interim Punjab chief minister had announced that there would be no power loadshedding from 6pm to 6am during Muharram but the Mepco continued with the old outage schedule.

He apprehended that long spells of loadshedding during Muharram-related gatherings could result in any mishap. If any tragic incident occurred, the government high-ups, including the president and the prime minister, would be responsible for it, he warned.

He said three days back he had requested the district coordination officer, A Sattar Sheikh, for taking steps to ensure sanitation and repairs on the route of procession, but in vain.

He warned if authorities concerned did not take steps to improve the situation till eighth of Muharram, the mourners would block the procession routes.

The mourners, however, agreed to end their protest when they were assured of better security by some police officers.