Holy month security: 3,500 cops to be deployed in Rawalpindi

No one will be allowed to enter religious buildings without undergoing a body search

RAWALPINDI: As many as 3,500 police personnel, police national volunteers, private security guards and lady police will be deployed to provide security at religious places in the district during the holy month of Ramazan.

According to a spokesperson for Rawalpindi Police, the City Police Officer (CPO) has directed to make stringent security arrangements for the holy month at all the main mosques, imambarghas, bazaars and other public places of the district. Security arrangements would be made at 2,000 mosques and 87 imambarghas. Only one main gate will be opened for the faithful. Security personnel will also use metal detectors and no one will be allowed to go in without subjecting themselves to a body search. According to the security plan, additional police officers would be deployed particularly to cover mosques and other religious congregations in the district while special check posts are being established to check vehicles at the entry and exit points of the city.

Rapid response squads have also been formed. Plain-clothes police personnel along with elite force will also be deployed in the markets with the consultation of traders, he added.

There will be no permission to park vehicles, motorbikes, cycles and handcarts near mosques and imambarghas.

According to a police spokesperson, all efforts were being made to protect the citizens. Moreover, police patrolling has been strengthened in the district.

The spokesperson further said that action in accordance with the law will be taken against those who are violating the loudspeakers act.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 14^th, 2018.