Muharram processions: Over 12,000 LEA men on security duties

Police finalise details of securing processions and majalis, plan combing operations

ISLAMABAD: As many as 12,000 personnel of Islamabad police, Rangers and Frontier Constabulary will perform security duties during Muharramul Haram and to maintain high vigilance to thwart any untoward incident.

Islamabad police have finalised comprehensive security arrangements for the processions, religious gatherings during Muharram and decided to launch combing as well as search operations in various slums and areas with high Afghan population to ensure fool proof security.



This plan has been prepared by SSP Operations Najeebur Rehman Bugvi following directions of IGP Jan Muhammad. All wings of Islamabad police have been directed to ensure complete coordination for success of this plan.

The SSP has directed SDPOs and SHOs to launch effective search operation as well as combing activities in the slum areas of the city including Afghan habitats and enhance vigilance at all entrance points of the city. All SPs have been asked to monitor this search operation themselves and inform SSP’s office on daily basis about progress in this regard.

He also directed to maintain close liaison with peace committees and organisers of majalis and processions. He said that cooperation of organisers should be ensured with the police and law enforcing officials.

A total of 909 religious gatherings (majalis) and 177 processions will be held.

He said that it should be ensured to make arrangements for checking of participants of majalis and processions thorough using metal detectors. Strict vigilance should be maintained to ensure that security measures are in place by the police as well as peace committees, the SSP maintained.

The SSP also ordered all SHOs to make proper light arrangements after negotiations with authorities concerned and also to clear bushes in the vicinity of worship places.

The personnel of Rangers and police commandoes along with vehicles would perform the security of Imambargahs. He said that it should be ensured that processions will pass through the fixed routes and timings of processions to be observed strictly. He has also directed for effective patrolling and use commando vehicles for the purpose.

The IGP directed for maintaining close coordination among all wings of Islamabad police and staff. The IGP asked SSP (Traffic) to ensure arrangements for avoiding any inconvenience to road users and special deployment should be made for smooth flow of traffic at alternate routes when processions will be carried out.

IGP Jan Mohammad said it should be ensured that parking area is at a safe distance from the processions. Moreover, the vehicles parked in the designated areas should be checked with proper security arrangements.

SSP Bugvi has said that walk through gates must be installed at all entry and exit points of majalis and processions and it should be covered through large strength of policemen.

He also asked all SPs, SDPOs to take steps to curb wall chalking or pasting posters which may hurt sentiments of people.

Patrolling officers must conduct visit of all the routes of Muharram processions and Imambargahs and rooftops to be covered by the police officials.

IGP Jan Mohammad said that policewomen should be deputed for the female gatherings while police officers and jawans should perform security duties outside the Imambargahs.

All SHOs should get the complete bio data of those volunteers performing security duties. 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.



It will be also mandatory for the participants and organisers of the processions to get clearance certificates from the concerned police station before its start as a part of effective security measure.

Pillion riding has been also banned in capital while fire brigade vehicles and ambulances will remain present in various areas. The vehicles of Rangers, CTF and police commandoes would also remain present around Imambargahs and Islamabad police would accomplish his responsibilities with dedication during Muharramul Haram, SSP Bugvi added.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 12^th, 2018.