Eyes in the sky: Police to enhance monitoring of Muharram gatherings

Additional cameras to be installed, SHOs directed to ensure adequate lighting and cleanliness around imambargahs

ISLAMABAD: Police have decided to install surveillance cameras at all imambargahs in the city and along procession routes as part of security measures for Muharram processions and gatherings.

Apart from the hundreds of cameras installed on roads under the Safe City project, additional cameras will be installed at entrances of all imambargahs and other congregation spots.

These directions were issued by Operations SSP Najeebur Rehman Bugvi in a meeting of all zonal SPs, SDPOs and SHOs at the Safe City Command and Control Centre where Muharram security arrangements were discussed.

It was decided that police will install CCTV cameras in coordination with organisers and ensure video recording of all the gatherings.

SSP Bugvi directed that installation of cameras and metal-detecting walk-through gates be ensured at all Muharram gatherings and processions.

Police have also been told to also curb wall chalking and pasting posters which may hurt the sentiments of people.

He further directed that officers take up the matter of proper cleanliness arrangements around imambargahs and along procession routes with organizers of religious gatherings.

SSP Bugvi said it should be ensured that parking lots are established at a distance from processions and majalis.

The SSP called for effective combing operations in slums and at bus stations apart from the strict vigilance of suspected elements, vehicles and motorbikes.

He said that special meetings should be arranged with members of peace committees at the police station level.

Police will decide the routes and timings of the processions in coordination with the organisers and these routes and timings will be strictly observed.

Owners of buildings along the procession routes have been directed not to allow any stranger to loiter there or stand on rooftops.

The SSP also ordered all SHOs to make proper lighting arrangements after negotiations with the municipal authorities and also weed out bushes in the various areas in the vicinity of worship places.

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.

SSP Bugvi asked police officials to perform security duties with devotion to avoid any untoward incident and adopt a decent attitude with the public.

Police also decided to conduct another flag march across the city, this time including Rangers personnel.

SHOs have also been directed to enforce the ban on motorbike pillion-riding, which is effective until the night of Ashura.

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