KOHAT, Dec 9 The mourners will not pass through main bazaar of Hangu during Muharram to avoid any untoward incident, according to the route plan finalised by the commissioner of Kohat division.

The commissioner announced the final route plan for mourners' procession at a high level meeting on Wednesday.

The representatives of both the religious sects and officials approved the route of procession and security plan unanimously, after two-day deliberation, for the first time in the history of Hangu.

Commissioner Khalid Khan Umerzai, in his final speech, said that keeping in view the history of riots over the route and the loaming threat this year it was decided that mourners would not be allowed to pass through the main bazaar.

In the past whenever the procession passed through the main bazaar sinister elements started firing at the mourners, who in return burnt all the shops, government offices and vehicles.

The riots occurred for four consecutive years wherein business community and government suffered losses to the tune of billions of rupees. He stressed that peace during Muharram should be the top priority of all stakeholders.

By taking the leaders into confidence, he apprehended that this year the threat was more imminent due to continuing military operation in the adjoining Orakzai Agency from where the Muharram processions were being regularly attacked.

In the light of prevailing situation, he advised the elders from the Shiite community to keep the procession short for the safety of the precious lives and maintenance of peace.

DIG Abdullah Khan, Hangu DCO Syed Musaddiq Hussain Shah, Orakzai Political Agent Riaz Khan Mehsud, Hangu DPO Abdur Rasheed Khan, Kohat DCO Kifayatullah Khan, Hangu acting nazim Gul Kareem, Javed Ibraheem Paracha of Sunni Supreme Council and district khateeb of Hangu Maulana Khursheed Anwar Jawadi addressed the meeting.

The DIG said that fool proof arrangements had been made for the security of all imambargahs and the mourners' route.