Sindh marks Yaum-e-Ashura with processions across province

HYDERABAD: Hundreds of thousands of mourners joined Yaum-e-Ashur gatherings and processions across Sindh on Friday to commemorate the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions in Karbala, with security deployed in major cities and towns throughout the province.

Thousands of processions and majalis were organised across Sindh. The largest gathering was held in Rohri in Sukkur district, where mourners arrived not only from different parts of Sindh but also from Punjab and Balochistan to take part in the long-standing Nau Dhaal procession.

Hyderabad procession and security arrangements

In Hyderabad, 350 processions were taken out under a security plan involving 4,600 police personnel. The main procession, organised by Anjuman-e-Imamia Sindh, began in the morning from Qadam Gah Moula Ali (RA) and concluded in the evening at Karbala Dadan Shah.

Of the total deployment in the city, around 1,400 police personnel were assigned to the central procession, with Rangers also assisting. The procession was monitored through hundreds of CCTV cameras linked to a control room set up at the City police station. Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar visited the central procession route to review the security arrangements.

Another 1,500 policemen were deployed with the remaining processions in Hyderabad, while 700 personnel were assigned to tazia processions and 600 to Imambargahs for Sham-e-Ghareeban.

A spokesman for Liaquat University Hospital said 65 mourners who were injured during self-flagellation with chains fitted with blades underwent surgeries at the hospital, while another 302 people were given first aid.

Large gathering in Rohri and other districts

In Rohri, a large number of mourners gathered at Maidan-e-Karbala for the centuries-old Nau Dhaal, or Nine Shields, procession. More than 2,000 police personnel, along with Rangers and Scouts, were deployed there to maintain security.

In Larkana district, 171 processions and 181 majalis were held under the protection of 3,300 policemen. In Mirpurkhas, major and smaller processions converged at the Post Office intersection during the observances.

In Benazirabad, a tense situation briefly emerged near Imambargah Hussainia Sajjadia, but police and Rangers brought it under control before it escalated further. The Sindh home minister also visited the district during the day.