Chattogram’s 55th annual Eid-e-Miladunnabi procession was underway on Wednesday under heightened security, a year after a stampede killed two people at the event.

The procession, organised by Anjuman-e-Rahmania Ahmadia Sunnia Trust and led by Syed Muhammad Saber Shah, formally began at about 9:30 am from Alamgir Khanka-E-Quaderia Sayedia Tayabia near Jamia Ahmadia Sunnia Kamil Madrasah in Sholoshohor. Sahebzada Syed Muhammad Qasem Shah and Shahzada Syed Muhammad Aqib Ahmed Shah attended as guests.

People from across the city and district began gathering before dawn, and the area was filled with hamd, naat, takbir and salawat recitations.

The procession was scheduled to pass through Bibirhat, Muradpur, Gate No 2, GEC intersection, Wasa, Dampara, Lalkhan Bazar and Tiger Pass before returning to the madrasah grounds.

A temporary market selling caps, perfumes, clothing and other religious and household items was set up along the route between Muradpur and the madrasah.

In addition to law enforcement, about 10,000 volunteers from the trust were on duty. The flyover from Lalkhan Bazar to Muradpur was closed and traffic on main roads was controlled following last year’s deaths.

Chattogram Metropolitan Police Commissioner Hasan Shawkat Ali said the display of weapons or effigies was completely banned and security forces were on alert.

The procession was first introduced in 1974 by Allama Syed Muhammad Tayyab Shah and has been held annually on 12 Rabiul Awal since then.