Three injured in Nahan clash over Muharram procession

Pankaj Sharma

Nahan, July 17

Three persons were injured when disagreement over a Muharram procession took a violent turn in Nahan on Wednesday. The town has a longstanding tradition of nearly 160 years of the Sunni community of Muslims taking out a Tazia procession on Muharram.

Tension that was simmering since last night resulted in a clash early morning, leaving three individuals injured. The injured were admitted to a hospital. A few days ago, the Nahan Subdivisional Magistrate had issued an order stating that only Anjuman Islamia committee was authorised to organise the Tazia procession on Muharram.

Despite the directive, one faction within the Sunni community demanded a separate committee for the event. The disagreement led to the clash just before the Tazia procession was to begin. There is not even one Shia family in the town. Had there been a Shia family in the town, it would have been mandatory to establish a separate Tazia committee.

The faction advocating a new committee allegedly had a scuffle with the president of the Anjuman Islamia committee. As per reports, while those involved in the altercation were willing to apologise, they were allegedly attacked by the Anjuman Islamia’s members.

Additional Superintendent of Police Yogesh Rolta said the police had registered a case regarding the internal conflict, documenting statements from both sides. A probe was under way.