Devotees take out a procession in Patna City to mark Muharram. Picture by Sachin

Effective co-ordination between police and residents ensured Muharram processions went peacefully on Tuesday.

Mourners around the city took out around 24 tazias (processions) to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, a grandson of Prophet Muhammad. Ceremonial chest-beating and self- flagellation of the devout marked the day.

Saif Mallick, a resident of Patna City, said the self-flagellation is a remembrance of the pain Imam Hussain went through on his quest to protect his people from oppressing rule and inhumanity.

The district administration had everything in place to ensure a peaceful procession of the Shia Muslims. Helping the force were the taziadar committee and Shanti Samiti.

Senior superintendent of police Jitender Rana said: “We took all the precautionary measures and maintained tight vigil to ensure nothing untoward happened during the procession. The senior police officers were in touch with the residents. The people were requested not to spread rumours and inform the police about rumour- mongers, if any. Closed-circuit television cameras were put up. Close to 5,000 police officers had been deployed in the different areas.

“Sometimes, the people are in a hurry to reach the Karbala first. So, security was tightened up at Phulwarisharif and Patna City where the processions were headed,” he added.

The processions followed the traditional routes to Shah Baquar ki Takiya (also known as Karbala) at Meena Bazar, Patna City.

Devotees gathered people with the sound of drum beats. As processions were taken out from Ashok Rajpath, Mahendru, Patthar Ki Masjid, Shahganj, Alamganj, Saddarganj and Paschim Darwaza to Karbala, women and children come out of their homes to see the tazia. They also poured water on the tazias.

Sakina Jamal, a resident of Shahganj, said: “We were not there with Imam at the time of the war and he was forbidden from water. So, the women poured water on tazias and cried as the processions went past.”

Alamganj resident Imran Abbas said: “The war of Karbala is still fresh in our minds. We should follow this old tradition with dignity and pride. Our ancestors sacrificed their lives with Imam at Karbala war and we should pay tribute to them. But it’s painful to see the younger generation not taking active part in the pageant.”