Sambalpur: The district administration here has allowed religious processions during Muharram festival July 17, but with a rider, a report said Thursday.
Though Muharram committee members and individuals have been allowed to take out processions, they have been barred from carrying weapons.
The decision was taken during a meeting of the peace and coordination committee for observance of Muharram which was organised by the district administration at the Zilla Parishad conference hall here, Wednesday.
District Collector Akshay Sunil Agrawal presided over the meeting which was attended by office bearers of eight Muharram committees, SMC commissioner Ved Bhushan, additional district magistrate (ADM) Sucharu Kumar Bal, chief development officer Dharmendra Mallick of Zilla Parishad, ASP Haresh Chandra Pandey and Sadar Sub-Collector Pushpanjali Panda.
The office bearers of the committees were advised to cooperate with the district administration in maintaining peace and brotherhood and observe the festival of brotherhood in a disciplined manner, Collector Agrawal said while seeking the cooperation of all the stakeholders. Agrawal also asked the district police and Muharram committees to hold a meeting and finalise the route chart for the processions.
The Muharram committees requested the district administration to repair roads, clean drains, ensure drinking water and uninterrupted power supply as well as remove sagging overhead electric wires on roads before the festival. The Daleipada Muharram committee urged the state government to provide support and cooperation for the festival.
Water tanks will be kept on the routes and fire brigade personnel deployed on the day of the processions. The Collector also advised the concerned officials to open the primary health centre and keep ambulances ready during the festivities.
All liquor shops will remain closed during the day. The Collector has urged all stakeholders to ensure that there is no loss of life or property during the festival.
Meanwhile, the district administration’s move to permit religious processions after a long time has been welcomed by residents in the town.
Notably, the district administration had banned all religious procession in the town following communal clashes during Hanuman Jayanti procession April 14 last year.
PNN
