Srinagar, Jan 30 Jammu and Kashmir Tuesday disallowed the main Muharram procession in the summer capital Srinagar for the 18th consecutive year for security reasons.

Police and paramilitary troops were deployed in strength at the Abi-Guzar locality to prevent Shia mourners from gathering in the uptown area.

Shia mourners used to join the main Muharram procession in thousands from Abi-Guzar until 1989 when militancy erupted in Kashmir.

"For security reasons and the added threat to Muharram processions in the wake of Saddam Hussein's execution, permission has been denied," Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad told the state assembly Monday.

Shops in the Agi-Guzar locality were shut in view of tight security. The authorities, however, allowed other Muharram processions in downtown Srinagar where adequate security arrangements had been made.

Security forces in strength were deployed to protect the processions in Srinagar and other towns.

"Security arrangements are adequate and Shias in good numbers have joined the Tazia processions taken out from various downtown localities," a police officer told IANS.

He said following the execution of the former Iraqi president, security arrangements were reviewed and round the clock vigil was maintained in all the Shia dominated areas of Srinagar and other towns.