Chehlum concludes peacefully amid tight security in Lahore

Lahore police had deployed 15,000 officials to ensure fool proof security

LAHORE:  

Processions for Hazrat Imam Hussain’s (RA) Chehlum concluded peacefully amid tight security on Tuesday.

The main procession began in the morning from Alaf Shah Haveli and concluded during the evening at Karbala Gamay Shah after passing through its traditional route. Lahore police had deployed at least 15,000 police officials to ensure fool proof security during Chehlum and Data Ganj Baksh’s urs.

A four layered security plan was followed. All participants were only allowed to enter after they had been frisked and checked with metal detectors. Meanwhile, roads leading towards the venue and the route were cordoned off using tents, barbed wire and container. Even smaller streets were sealed while men in civilian clothes were also deputed to keep an eye out on suspicious people and activity.

Snipers were deployed on the roofs while all processions and gatherings were monitored through CCTV cameras. Teams from the Police Response Unit and the Dolphin Squad were also on duty to keep an eye on suspicious activity in the case of an emergency. Mobile phone services were also suspended while a ban on pillion riding was also announced.

Further, all roads leading to and from the Walled City were sealed so that citizens were unable to enter or exit the premises. Sohail Aziz, a resident of Faisal Town, said that he had to leave the house to run errands but has been unable to find a way out of the city for the past two hours.

This is absolute madness. They are virtually holding a large number of people hostage, he said.

Atleast 213 wardens, 31 patrolling officers, 18 inspectors and three DSPs were on duty under the supervision of SP Asif Siddique.  All traffic from Peer Makki U-Turn and Katchery Chowk was banned. Roads leading from Low Mall Crossing and Rattigon Road were also blocked while traffic from Mochi Gate to Bhatti Gate was also blocked. However, vehicles carrying sabeel were allowed to enter from Peer Maki U-Turn, Shah Alam Chowk, Mori Gate, Law College and Katchery Chowk.