Srinagar, March 22 -- Residents were urged to comply with the directives to maintain peace, with officials warning of strict action against any violations. However, the decision was met with outrage from the majority of Shia community, who viewed it as an infringement on their religious rights.

Maulana Masroor Abbas Ansari who usually leads the procession and delivers sermon on the occasion was placed under house arrest

"This is a historic procession that predates the inception of Ittehadul Muslimeen. Our organization is 65 years old, but this tradition has existed for over a century. Some malicious elements opposed the procession, and instead of stopping them, the authorities chose to ban the historic majlis and procession," he said. ...