LAHORE:
District Coordination Officer (DCO) Muhammad Usman said on Thursday the city government would ban pillion riding and suspend cell-phone services in some areas on the 9th and 10th of Muharram.
The DCO was addressing a press conference about security measures adopted for the month. Operations DIG Haider Ashraf was also present.
Usman said use of heli-cams to cover Muharram processions would not be allowed. He said the city government had made arrangements in coordination with the police to protect 5,000 majalis and 600 processions during Muharram.
The DCO urged citizens to avoid taking law into their hands in case of an untoward situation on Ashura. He said a control room would monitor security arrangements round-the-clock.
Usman said the district administration had banned entry of firebrand speakers to the city during the month. The metro bus service would also remain suspended on the 9th and 10th of Muharram, he said.
Ashraf said six army and three Rangers companies would assist 26,000 police in maintaining order on Ashura.
The DIG said police would use all-available resources to ensure peace. He said participants of majalis and processions would be thoroughly checked. He said 5,000 volunteers would be issued security cards. They would be deployed along major Muharram processions, he said.
Ashraf said standard operating procedures had been devised to deal with three types of security threats –terrorism, sectarianism and a law and order situation.
The DIG said alternate traffic arrangements would be made along the routes of Muharram processions.
High alert
Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Muhammad Amin Wains said the force had been put on high alert to keep peace in the city.
The CCPO was chairing a meeting to review security arrangements for Muharram. Operations DIG Ashraf and the investigation DIG were also present.
Wains directed superintendents, deputy superintendents and station house officers to remain in their jurisdictions until Ashura. He said additional policemen had been deployed at entrances and exits of the city.
Wains said plainclothesmen were also on duty at imambargahs and majalis. He said people would be allowed to attend majalis after checking by security officials.
Separately, Mujahid SP Zahid Nawaz Murawwat said the unit had finalised a security for the month.
He said a special contingent of 200 reserves would be on stand-by.
They would be called in, if need be.
The SP said security officials had been asked to take action wall-chalking. He appealed to citizens to help police maintain order.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 31st, 2014.
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