Shi'ite Muslims on Tuesday protested against the state government for imposing a curfew in Kashmir on the occasion of Ashoura, which commemorates the slaying of Prophet Muhammad's grandson Hussein in Karbala in 680 AD.
Several mourners gathered at the historic Lal Chowk in Srinagar to protest against the curfew by beating their chests and shouting slogans. They were later detained by the police.
The Jammu and Kashmir Government has imposed a curfew in several parts of the valley to prevent Ashoura processions. Security personnel manned the streets in Srinagar to prevent any untoward incident.
Since 1989, Ashoura processions have been banned in Srinagar after a pro-independence revolt started in Kashmir.
Only small mourning rallies and processions are allowed in select areas with limited Shi'ite populations.
Ashoura falls on the tenth day of a 40-day mourning period during the Islamic calendar's first month, Moharram.
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According to tradition, Ashoura is the day Imam Hussein, a grandson of Prophet Mohammed, was killed in a seventh century battle for the leadership of faith. His death deepened the rift between Shi'ite and Sunni Muslims that is still seen today.
The martyrdom day of Imam Hussein is marked by prayers and processions led by Tazia or replica of the Imam Hussein's tomb at Karbala in Iraq and self-flagellation by mourners.
Other countries with sizeable Shi'ite communities such as Iran, Pakistan and Syria commemorate the day.
