"The ban on Muharram processions is uncalled for and shall be lifted forthwith," the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference, led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, said in a statement in Srinagar.

After eruption of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir in 1989, authorities have banned Muharram processions in the heart of the city. The imposition of restrictions amounted to direct interference in religious matters, a spokesman of the moderate faction said.

"Holding of religious processions is linked with the belief and, therefore, the stand of the government on the issue is unrealistic and undemocratic," he said.

"The ban on Muharram processions exposes claims of religious freedom being propagated by the government," the spokesman said.