Muharram observed across India

New Delhi, Dec 6 (PTI) Muslims across India today observed Muharram by taking out taziya processions, flagellating themselves and offering special prayers but the day of mourning witnessed a clash in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh resulting in injury to six persons. Slogans of "Ya Hussein" rent the air as Shias took part in the ceremonial mourning commemorating the martyrdom of Prophet Mohammed's grandson Imam Hussein with flags and replicas of Hussein's tomb in their hands. Sunnis offered prayers, observed fasts and distributed alms on the occasion. But the religious fervour was marred by a clash in Chandauli district of Uttar Pradesh. As many as six policemen and journalists were injured and around a dozen houses set ablaze following a clash during a procession in Malokhar village, police said. In Delhi and in its satellite towns, several taziya processions were taken out. Most of these processions culminated at the Karbala in the Jor Bagh area in south Delhi. On this day, Muslims remember Hussein who died fighting the forces of Caliph Yazid around 1,400 years ago at Karbala in Iraq. In the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir, restrictions were imposed in parts of capital Srinagar to prevent mourners from taking out a procession in and around the city's commercial centre Lal Chowk. State police chief Kuldeep Khoda said these restrictions were imposed largely to ensure peaceful gathering of people and smooth conduct of the Muharram processions. On Sunday, police had prevented a procession of mourners near Jehangir Chowk in the city, which led to clashes in which at least 10 people, including a policeman, were injured. PTI