HYDRABAD: Chehlum of Imam Hussain and his companions was observed across Sindh amidst tight security measures put in place for the processions taken out and majalis held on Tuesday.
In Hyderabad, the event was organised on the pattern of “Arbaeen” in Karbala. Carrying flags, a large number of men, women and children walked up to Qadam Gah Maula Ali from different areas of the city. On way, the mourners were offered juices and food as sabeels were established at different locations.
They gathered at Qadam Gah Maula Ali where a majlis was held and later the Anjuman-i-Imamiya Sindh brought out a procession that headed for Karbala Dadan Shah. Syed Arif Hussain Shah Kazmi addressed the majlis. The procession reached Dadan Shah after Maghrib prayers.
Mourners walked on roads at Thandi Sarak, different units of Latifabad, Hyder Chowk, Qasimabad and other parts. They were beating their chests in the memory of Imam Hussain. Zuljanah, cradles and other tabarukat were part of the procession.
People from Matiari, Jamshoro, Kotri and other parts of Hyderabad participated in the procession.
The entire route and connecting streets remained sealed with barbed wires. Heavy deployment of police was seen while Rangers personnel were also deployed.
Traffic blockade was also witnessed on the roads and streets connected with the route of the procession. Police set up walkthrough gates at different entry points.
The divisional commissioner, police DIG, deputy commissioner and Hyderabad SSP supervised the security arrangements.
SUKKUR: Chehlum was observed in high-alert security at Sukkur, Ghotki, Pannu Aqil, Jacobabad and Khairpur.
Local administrations sealed all roads and streets declared as main routes for processions and got closed shops and markets there.
All the roads leading to Sukkur city were cordoned off with barbed wires and vehicular movement was halted whereas each passer-by on sensitive routes was thoroughly searched by police and Rangers.
Heavy contingents of police were deployed at the main entrances to Imambargahs and sensitive areas while the processions were escorted by deputed law enforcement forces.
Caravans of Arbaeen coming from different areas converged at the main Imambargha in Rohri.
All the processions reached their destinations and programmes ended peacefully on the given time.
MIRPURKHAS: Intermittent rain briefly disturbed the processions taken out from different Imambargahs of the city under strict security of law enforcing agencies.
Participants took shelter here and there, and when the rain stopped, they resumed their journey.
Police patrolling was intensified while personnel of different security agencies were deployed at the designated routes of the processions.
Alams and Zuljanahs were part of the processions while mourners were beating their chests in the memory of Imam Hussain.
CCTV cameras were installed on the routes of the processions. Security personnel sealed various main roads for the processions of chehlum and alternate routes were designated for vehicular traffic.
All the processions converged at the railway station and moved on to Imambargah Makhan Shah where a majlis was held and food distributed.
The SSP-Mirpurkhas supervised the security arrangements and visited various areas of the city besides other towns of the district.
Chehlum was also observed in the towns of Mirwah Gorchani, Digri, Jhuddo, Naokot, Tando Jan Muhammad, Sindhri, Kot Ghulam Muhammad etc.
LARKANA: Like other districts of Sindh, chehlum was also observed in the districts of Larkana and Qambar-Shahdadkot with due reverence.
According to APP, the main procession in Larkana city started from Dargah Jaral Shah Bukhari and culminated at Surhia Padhar after passing through its traditional routes, including Bundar Road, Pakistan Chowk, Empire Road, Municipal Road and Shahi Bazaar.
Processions of Alams, Tazias and Zuljanahs were also taken out in Larkana city. After marching through the fixed routes, they reached Pakistan Chowk and then returned to their respective Imambargahs.
Similar processions were taken out in other parts of Larkana division, including Garhi Yaseen, Lakhi, Madeji, Thull, Jacobabad, Warah, Nasirabad, Khanpur, Mirokhan, Shikarpur and Kandhkot-Kashmore.
Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2021