Setting a precedent for communal harmony in the Capital, the Muharram procession in riot-scarred Trilokpuri saw the participation of both Hindus and Muslims. Members of the “Aman Committee” formed by the local police in the area had on Monday volunteered to lead the procession.
The gesture of solidarity was in response to the “jagran” day, when the Muslims had helped with prasad distribution.
Aman committee volunteers, with identity cards hung around their necks, lead the procession which started from near the Mayur Vihar police station around 2-30 p.m. and ended around 3-45 p.m.
A member of the committee, Hans Raj said: “This is a message to the anti-social elements. Hindus and Muslims live here like brothers and we will continue to live in peace. No outsider can create fissures between us.”
The procession, which took place in the presence of unprecedented security, was however reduced in number this year. It saw a gathering of around 700 people as opposed to around 1,500 last year. The locals attributed it to the fear in people’s minds.
The route of the procession was also cut short this time, and participants walked for around 3 km to reach the karbala site in Mayur Vihar on Tuesday.
For security purposes, the police did not even allow the participants to carry swords and other weapons along with them, a usual fare at such processions.
“We had to cut short the route because the situation is still tense in the area. Also, we could not have allowed them to carry weapons as people from other community were scared,” said a senior police officer.
The Delhi Police were all ready with the security arrangements in the area. With six companies of the Delhi Police, two companies of the Border Security Force and one crew of mounted police, the entire area resembled a fortress. The police were also using drones every ten minutes to monitor the situation.
