Policewomen will be deputed to check participants of female gatherings while police officers and volunteers would maintain security outside imambargahs. PHOTO: INP
Furthermore, the authorities have decided to put all those placed under surveillance whose names have been included in the fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).
This was outlined in a security plan which the Islamabad police unveiled on Sunday.
Under the plan, over 10,000 policemen, 1,500 Rangers and 500 officials of the Frontier Constabulary would be deployed around the capital.
The capital expects to witness a total of 909 religious congregations and 177 processions.
Police say no participant would be allowed to enter processions or congregations without passing through strict checking. In this regard, walk-through gates will be installed at all entry and exit points of congregations and processions.
Policewomen will be deputed to check participants of female gatherings while police officers and volunteers would maintain security outside imambargahs.
Furthermore, all SHOs have been tasked with ensuring security for worship places within their jurisdictions. They will also gather information about volunteers performing security duties at congregations and processions.
Police officers have also been directed to make sure that all processions pass through the designated routes and culminate as per the agreed upon timings. Further, they were told to check for inflammatory graffiti, banners and posters.
Policemen would be deployed on rooftops along the Muharram procession routes.
Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) will make arrangements to facilitate motorists as well as the processions. Parking around mosques, imambargahs and procession routes will be prohibited.
Participants and organisers of processions will have to obtain mandatory clearance certificates from the concerned police stations before the start of processions.
Peace committees would be asked to ensure that no stranger is allowed to stay in the worship places for security reasons during the month of Muharram.
Inspector General Islamabad Police Tariq Masood Yasin, and SSP-Operations Sajid Kiani have directed all wings of the capital police to ensure coordination for better results.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 3rd, 2016.
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