Eid preparations: No more forceful collection of hides

Circulation of pamphlets and use of loudspeakers will not be tolerated.

KARACHI: Commissioner Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui seems bent on eradicating the forceful hide collection culture during Eidul Azha in Karachi.

Door-to-door collection will not be allowed, he said on Thursday while presiding over a review meeting.

The meeting was held at his office to discuss arrangements for collection of hides during Eid. A strong coordination among parties, organisations, madrassahs and the city administration would be ensured to maintain law and order, he said.

The meeting decided to form a group comprising representatives of all the organisations to help resolve all conflicting issues.

It was also decided that the police and Rangers will remain alert to avert any kind of untoward situation.

Also, circulation of pamphlets before the slaughtering and use of loudspeakers will not be allowed. Nonetheless, people will be free to give away the hides as and when they like.

“The skins-collecting organisers should fully follow the ethics of skin collections and work with mutual understanding with other organisations,” he said.

It was also decided in the meeting that the procurement of no-objection certificates from the Commissioner House will be compulsory for every organisation. All organisations must be registered and will have to sign a code of conduct.

According to the code of conduct, weapons, batons and rods will not be allowed during the three days. This code will also apply on licenced weapons and law enforcement agencies will be responsible for the implementation of the code. Members of all hide-collecting organisations have been directed to ensure that they have their national identity cards with them.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 19^th, 2014.