Ground situation: RPO reviews security arrangements along procession routes

Traffic police prepare plan to divert movement of vehicles

RAWALPINDI: Regional Police Officer of Rawalpindi Fayyaz Ahmad Dev took a round of the city to examine the security arrangements along the routes of the Muharram processions.

RPO Dev talked to the people and administrators of the processions while visiting different parts of the city to check security measures at Imambargahs Qadeemi, Shah Chan Chirag, Madrassa Darul Uloom Taleem Ul Quran and procession routes.

He urged the officers to play an active role in creating religious harmony and brotherhood to defeat nefarious designs of the anti-peace elements.

He directed the officers of different departments to coordinate with each other and ensure repair of roads and installation of streetlights on the procession routes.

He said that starting and culmination of procession and Majalis on given time is mandatory.

Meanwhile Deputy Commissioner Umer Jhangir, City Police Officer (CPO) Ahsan Abass and members of District Peace Committee (DPC) took part in a peace walk.

Ulema-e-Akram of different schools of thought, police officials and representatives of Anjumane Tajran were also present on the occasion.

The walk was organised by DPC which started from Markazi Jamia Mosque, Jamia Masjid Road and concluded at Qadmi Imambargh.

Meanwhile, City Traffic Police (CTP) have issued a comprehensive traffic plan.

According to the plan, there would be a complete ban on parking of any vehicle or pushcart on the route of the procession.

According to Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Muhammad Bin Ashraf, enhanced number of traffic wardens under the supervision of inspectors and DSPs would perform duties on city roads to control the traffic flow during Muharram.

He said, traffic police officers and wardens have also been directed to take action against vehicles having tinted glasses, revolving lights, unregistered vehicles and motorcycles and others moving without, improper and fake number plates. Fork lifters would move with Muharram processions.

The CTO also asked the wardens to remove all kinds of encroachments from the processions routes besides keeping a vigil on suspected persons and things.

Entry of vehicles on the route of the processions would be blocked by erecting barricades and other hurdles, CTO said.  

Published in The Express Tribune, September 16^th, 2018.