Amid strict security: Chehlum procession ends peacefully

Mobile services in areas along the route were suspended

LAHORE: Under the watchful guard of thousands of policemen and security cameras, the historic main procession of Imam Hussain’s Chehlum ended peacefully in Lahore on Monday.

The mourners started the procession early morning from Imambargah Haveli Alif Shah inside Delhi Gate and marched all day to the final destination, Imambargah Karbala Gamay Shah, after passing through its traditional route via Fazl-e-Haq Chowk, Chowk Nawab Sahib, Mubarak Haveli, Akbari Gate, Kashmiri Bazar, Pani Wala Talab, Shahi Mohalla, Nisar Haveli, Chohatta Mufti Baqar, Purani Kotwali and Bhatti Gate.

Religious scholars delivered lectures on life, sacrifices and mission of Imam Hussain (AS) before starting on the route. A large number of children and women were also among the participants. The mourners stopped after several intervals to recite nohas and for self-flagellation as the gathering resonated with slogans of Ya Hussain, Ya Hussain.

The mourners offered Namaz-e-Zohrain at Purani Kotwali Chowk. A large number of devotees had also established sabeels of water, milk and juice at different points of the route, offering fresh juices, water and milk to the mourners.

Strict security measures were made for the procession with all markets and streets leading to the route closed. Sniffer dogs and bomb disposal officers cleared the route beforehand. Mobile services in the areas along the route were suspended.

Police had cordoned off the route with razor wires, barricades and tents. The participants were allowed entrance after proper frisking, checking through metal detectors and walk-through gates after checking at four different points. More than 5,000 policemen and 2,000 volunteers were deployed for the security of the mourners. Policemen both in plainclothes and uniform escorted the procession as snipers kept a watchful eye on the surroundings from the rooftops of nearby buildings.

The procession was monitored through 400 CCTV cameras fixed at various points along the route monitored by the Punjab Safe City Authority. A centralised control room at DIG Operations and SP City office was set up to monitor security arrangements.

Teams of Police Response Unit, Dolphin Squad and Quick Response Force remained on patrol to respond to emergencies. Senior police officials including the CCPO and DIG Operations also visited the area several times to observe the security arrangements.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 22^nd, 2016.