Accountability Rally: Strict security put in place for the rally

Infant dies as ambulance gets stuck in traffic jam in Shahdara

LAHORE: Strict security measures were put in place along the route of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s rally on Saturday.

At least 5,000 police officials were deployed along the route under supervision of eight SPs and 34 DSPs.

Barbed wires and containers were placed on all roads and streets leading towards the route.

A three-layer security plan was implemented by the police. Rally participants were allowed entry from five points: Shahdara, Bhati Chowk, GPO Chowk, Charring Cross and Outfall Road. Metal detectors were provided to the officials and walk-through gates installed to ensure foolproof security.

A team in the CCPO office monitored activities through live feed from 100 closed circuit (CCTV) cameras installed along the route.

Earlier, the route was checked by teams from the Bomb Disposal Squad and the Special Branch.

Squads from Quick Response, Elite, and Dolphin Forces remained on patrolling duties in areas in the city close to the route. Snipers were mounted on rooftops along the route.

City Traffic police deployed 1,400 officials, including nine DSPs, 48 inspectors and 160 patrolling officers, to manage traffic on roads along the route on Saturday.

Traffic was diverted from Shahdara towards Babu Sabu interchange near Begum Kot.

Rescue 1122 arranged 14 ambulances and 10 fire vehicles to deal with any untoward incidents. A police spokesman said they had implemented the security plan discussed with a PTI delegation.

A City Traffic police officer said that his vehicle was stopped near Bhati Gate by several PTI workers. He said they surrounded the vehicle and did not let him drive away for about an hour.

Accidents

An infant died on his way to hospital on Saturday as the ambulance got stuck in a traffic jam near Shahdara Chowk.  His father said the ambulance could not drive past Shahdara Chowk that was blocked by containers placed on the road. He said the child had died by the time he got off the ambulance and took a rickshaw to reach the hospital. In another incident, Irza Khan of a private TV channel, suffered severe injuries as she fell from a crane during live coverage of the rally. She was taken to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 4^th, 2016.