Security plan for census finalised

Rangers, ATS commandos to patrol the streets

ISLAMABAD: With the month-long census exercise in the capital slated to begin next week, the Islamabad Police on Saturday finalised an elaborate plan to ensure security for enumerators.

The head-counting exercise in the capital is part of the second phase of the exercise and scheduled to begin from April 25. During a meeting chaired by SSP-Operations Sajid Kiani at the Safe City Centre on Saturday, the security plan was finalised. It was decided that around 1,500 law enforcement personnel would be deployed to ensure security. Meanwhile, search operations and security patrols across the city would be enhanced.



In this regard, it was decided that 49 police vehicles and 26 motorbikes would be reserved for patrolling across the city and for reacting quickly to any untoward situation. Apart from police, personnel from the paramilitary Rangers and commandos from the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) would also patrol the streets to handle any emerging situation.

Moreover, four SPs, 11 DSPs and 21 Inspectors would supervise and coordinate security arrangements for the census exercise. At least 10 police personnel would be deployed with each SDPO and SHO. Further, a total of 652 data collectors, 135 circular supervisors and 14 in-charges would carry out the head counting process. Officials were told to coordinate with census staff in-charges and circular supervisors.



Directing Police to coordinate with Rangers and FC personnel, Kiani said no negligence would be tolerated during the census. He further directed officers to ensure that census staff do not face any hurdles in carrying out their duty. He added that a security officer would be assigned to every census enumerator to avoid any untoward incident, and directed all officers to remain alert and launch a search operation in case they witness any suspicious activity around them. He directed all officers to address complainants at police stations on priority.

Reviewing the security arrangements in the capital, Kiani said check posts and pickets set up across the city were yielding good results but required further improvement. He noted that the Anti-Car Lifting Cell (ACLC) had played a key role in controlling incidents of car theft and assured that the crackdown against car lifters will continue.

Later, Kiani also reviewed the performance of the homicide unit and directed them to further improve their performance. Officers were told to show professionalism by resolving all pending cases on merit.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 23^rd, 2017.