MANSEHRA, March 26: Yaum-i-Ashur was observed in Mansehra on Monday with due reverence and religious sanctity to commemorate the supreme sacrifice rendered by Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions at Karbala for the principles of justice and righteousness.

Strict security arrangements were made on the occasion. A curfew-like situation was prevailing around the main Imambargah in Muftiabad, forcing around 10,000 residents of the area to remain indoors.

Earlier, the local administration did not allow the mourners to take out procession on the prescribed route from main Imambargah to Haji Salim Khan chowk on Shinkiari Road.

The entrance to the Islamia Public School street leading to the Imambargah was blocked by the police by parking a heavy truck. The heavily armed police and FC men had taken positions on the roof-tops of the buildings in the way of mourning procession.

When some of the mourners got infuriated and started chanting slogans against the local administration, the district Nazim, Azam Khan Swati, and SSP Mansehra Syed Ahsan Mehboob reached the spot and tried to pacify them.

On the assurance of district Nazim that the issue of route of mourning procession would be solved within 30 days, the mourners called off their protest and dispersed peacefully. Later, they took out a rally on the prescribed route. DIG Hazara Range Amin Hashim also visited the Imambargah and expressed his satisfaction with the security arrangements.

The local administration had established a control room in the Government High School No.3, near main Imambargah where the district Nazim, Naib Nazim Shahzada Gutasap Khan, SSP Mansehra, officers of Pakistan army, local Ulema and newsmen remained present for the whole day.

The staff of the district headquarters teaching hospital Mansehra and the volunteers of Edhi Foundation were present to provide first-aid to the mourners.