Working towards a safe and secure Muharram

Punjab govt issues strict directives to security officials, police to ensure security for the month of Muharram.

MULTAN: The Punjab government has issued strict directives to security officials and district police to incorporate civil society in their security planning for the month of Muharram.

In Multan, the Special Branch have enlisted the help of over 150 weapons licence holders and nearly 1,000 civil society volunteers. Special Branch operatives are conducting a training workshop where all volunteers are being provided training regarding search operations, defence, weapons and counter terrorism. “We have a large number of volunteers and we are making sure that they all know how to defend themselves and those around them,” said senior superintendent police (SSP) Qayyum Nawaz Qaisarani.

Police officials have also cordoned off large round-a-bouts, public squares and grounds where Muharram processions will take place to fit the sites with security equipment. “We have begun installing scanners and walk through gates,” Qaisarani said. The police also said that they had prepared a comprehensive list of names of people who had rented houses in the district over the past month. “We are trying to keep tabs on anyone that might be considered a threat,” he said, adding that the provincial government had issued similar directives for all districts across southern Punjab. “We were given special instructions to work towards creating a balance between local religious leaders of different sects and their constituencies,” he said, adding that the police were trying to get different groups to hold peace talks.

Qaisarani said that the trainees would be issued special security passes and that they would participate in the processions and guard them from within.

“We are hoping that they will be able to act as our eyes and ears,” said District police officerDilawar Abbas Naqvi. “I already feel confident that we will be able to avoid any untoward incidents in Muharram this year,” said one of the volunteers Salman, adding “we are prepared this year and that will help us guard the processions.”

All major routes and pathways in the district are being closely monitored and grounds and streets have been lit up and cleaned. DPO Naqvi called a meeting of all licence holders who are taking out Muharram processions this year. The CPO asked them to communicate all their concerns and directed police officials to address their problems.

Punjab government officials anticipate 1,600 processions to be taken out in the first 10 days of Muharram in southern Punjab.

Nearly, 410 of the processions have been placed in the A category and are considered extremely sensitive. Police officials, city government and locals are on alert and have been asked to report any suspicious activity.

Police officials have already installed scanners and walkthroughs but Naqvi said that they were unable to afford CCTV cameras.

“We have allowed the procession holders to install cameras at their own expense,” he said. Police have also banned pillion riding in the district from the 7th to 10th of Muharram.

Meanwhile, district administration officials all over southern Punjab are closely monitoring the activities of clerics in their jurisdiction. The Jhang administration has banned the entry of 27 clerics during Muharram and have forbidden them from giving sermons in the interest of maintaining religious harmony.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 1^st, 2010.