Annual Urs: Three-tier security in place at Data Darbar
Lahore DCO says all available resources will be utilised to maintain peace
Shrine of Data Ganj Bakhsh. PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE:
The Lahore district administration has chalked out a comprehensive security plan to avert any untoward incident at the annual Urs of Data Ganj Bakhsh and the Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) falling on November 19, 20 and 21.
The plan was devised at a meeting among district administration, Rescue 1122 officials, civil defence, police and religious scholars among other stakeholders held at the Town Hall.
The security strategy has been devised following the suicide attack at Dargah Shah Noorani in Khuzdar district that killed 52 people and left more than 100 injured. The attack at the widely visited shrine where faithful were busy in performing dhamaal – a trance-like dance –has sowed fear and panic among the citizens.
Lahore DCO Muhammad Usman said all available resources would be utilised to maintain peace.
The DCO added that as per the plan, Lahore Electric Supply Company would be responsible for removing dangling wires on the route of Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain and at the mausoleum of Data Ganj Bakhsh. He said town municipal administrators would launch a crackdown to remove encroachments from the route of the procession.
He maintained there will be no load-shedding on the route of Chehlum procession and Urs, while the district administration would also arrange standby generators for backup power supply.
The DCO further said Lahore Parking Company would be responsible for arrangement of parking facility for the devotees.
Preparedness
A three-layered security would be provided for the Urs and Chehlum. The participants would be checked at three points, while the route and site would be cleared by sniffer dogs, experts of bomb disposal squad and special branch officials.
All entry and exit points would be cordoned off with barbed wires and barricades. Snipers would be appointed on buildings to spot any suspicious activity. Policemen in plain clothes would also be deployed for surveillance. Teams of Dolphin Squad, Police Response Unit and Quick Response Force would also patrol areas to respond immediately in case of any emergency.
In addition, CCTV cameras would be installed and moving vehicles with high resolution cameras would also be used for monitoring of the security arrangements. A central command and control room would be established at the office of DIG operations for monitoring.
Meanwhile, Data Darbar Religious Affairs Committee chairperson and Federal Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar reviewed the security arrangements.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 16th, 2016.
The Lahore district administration has chalked out a comprehensive security plan to avert any untoward incident at the annual Urs of Data Ganj Bakhsh and the Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) falling on November 19, 20 and 21.
The plan was devised at a meeting among district administration, Rescue 1122 officials, civil defence, police and religious scholars among other stakeholders held at the Town Hall.
The security strategy has been devised following the suicide attack at Dargah Shah Noorani in Khuzdar district that killed 52 people and left more than 100 injured. The attack at the widely visited shrine where faithful were busy in performing dhamaal – a trance-like dance –has sowed fear and panic among the citizens.
Lahore DCO Muhammad Usman said all available resources would be utilised to maintain peace.
The DCO added that as per the plan, Lahore Electric Supply Company would be responsible for removing dangling wires on the route of Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain and at the mausoleum of Data Ganj Bakhsh. He said town municipal administrators would launch a crackdown to remove encroachments from the route of the procession.
He maintained there will be no load-shedding on the route of Chehlum procession and Urs, while the district administration would also arrange standby generators for backup power supply.
The DCO further said Lahore Parking Company would be responsible for arrangement of parking facility for the devotees.
Preparedness
A three-layered security would be provided for the Urs and Chehlum. The participants would be checked at three points, while the route and site would be cleared by sniffer dogs, experts of bomb disposal squad and special branch officials.
All entry and exit points would be cordoned off with barbed wires and barricades. Snipers would be appointed on buildings to spot any suspicious activity. Policemen in plain clothes would also be deployed for surveillance. Teams of Dolphin Squad, Police Response Unit and Quick Response Force would also patrol areas to respond immediately in case of any emergency.
In addition, CCTV cameras would be installed and moving vehicles with high resolution cameras would also be used for monitoring of the security arrangements. A central command and control room would be established at the office of DIG operations for monitoring.
Meanwhile, Data Darbar Religious Affairs Committee chairperson and Federal Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar reviewed the security arrangements.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 16th, 2016.