The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, headed by its Chairman Dr. Shashi Tharoor, called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Lok Bhavan in Srinagar on Wednesday during its ongoing four-day study visit to the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

During the meeting, Dr. Tharoor briefed the Lieutenant Governor about the Committee’s engagements and interactions held during the visit. He informed that the members had visited border areas in Jammu and the Regional Passport Office on Tuesday and subsequently held detailed discussions with senior Army officials in Srinagar.

Members of the Committee also shared their observations and experiences from the visit and discussed various issues concerning governance, security, and development in the Union Territories.

Interacting with the Committee members, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha highlighted the socio-economic transformation and developmental progress witnessed in Jammu & Kashmir over the past six years. He underlined the significant improvement in the security situation and the growing sense of confidence and optimism among the people.

The Lieutenant Governor observed that Jammu & Kashmir has undergone a remarkable transformation since August 2019, with normal life functioning smoothly across the Union Territory and new opportunities emerging for its residents.

He also briefed the Committee on various infrastructure and development initiatives being undertaken across Jammu & Kashmir, stating that these projects are contributing to economic growth, improved connectivity, enhanced public services, and a better quality of life for citizens.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee is currently on a study tour aimed at assessing various aspects related to administration, development, border management, and public service delivery in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The visit includes interactions with civil administration, security agencies, and other stakeholders in the two Union Territories.

 Amid elaborate security arrangements, thousands of Shia mourners on Wednesday participated in the traditional 8th Muharram procession along the historic Guru Bazar-Dalgate route in Srinagar, marking the fourth consecutive year that the procession has been permitted by the Jammu and Kashmir administration.

The procession commenced early in the morning from Guru Bazar and proceeded through Jahangir Chowk and Maulana Azad Road towards Dalgate. Devotees carrying religious banners and flags marched in large numbers, reciting marsiyas and nohas in remembrance of Imam Hussain (AS), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and the martyrs of Karbala.

Dressed predominantly in black attire, mourners paid tribute to the supreme sacrifice of Imam Hussain and his companions, reaffirming the message of truth, justice, and resistance against oppression associated with the tragedy of Karbala.

Authorities had put in place a comprehensive security plan to ensure the peaceful conduct of the procession. Personnel from Jammu and Kashmir Police, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and Traffic Police were deployed across the route. Surveillance drones monitored the procession while traffic movement on key roads was temporarily suspended to facilitate the smooth passage of mourners.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, Sundeep Chakravarthy, said extensive arrangements had been made from the starting point to the culmination of the procession.

“Our only aim is to ensure that the procession is conducted peacefully and in a dignified manner. For that, we require the cooperation and support of the public with the police and civil administration,” he said.

Officials from the civil administration, police departments, and volunteers were seen providing drinking water, medical assistance, and other essential services to participants at various points along the route.

The traditional Guru Bazar-Dalgate procession remained suspended for more than three decades following the outbreak of militancy in the early 1990s. Its restoration in 2023 was widely welcomed by the Shia community and has since continued under enhanced security arrangements.

Meanwhile, the administration has also announced elaborate arrangements for the 10th Muharram procession, one of the most significant religious observances in the Islamic calendar, scheduled later this week.

The procession continued peacefully till the filing of this report, reflecting both the religious significance of Muharram and the administration’s efforts to facilitate the observance while maintaining public order and security.