Over 2,000 cops deployed for security on Youm-e-Ali

Sharpshooters to take positions on rooftops along procession routes

RAWALPINDI: The police have finalised a comprehensive security plan for processions on the eve of Youm-e-Shahadat Hazrat Ali (RA). More than 2,000 security personnel including elite force, police officials, women police and volunteers will be deployed on the routes along with sharpshooters who would oversee the processions from the roof of important buildings.

Ramazan 21 marks the martyrdom of the fourth caliph Hazrat Ali (RA) and the day is widely observed.

Moreover, CCTV cameras would be installed while the procession route was divided n four parts. No one would be allowed to carry weapons in the processions while all mourners would be vetted through three layers of security at all entry points.

As per directives of the district administration all vehicles would be parked 100 meters away from the routes of processions.

2,000 cops to be deployed in Pindi on Youm-e-Ali

Rescue 122 along with other departments has been alerted in case of any emergency situation.

The markets and buildings on procession routes would be barricaded with barbed wires. According to programme, 101 majalis congregations will be held on the occasion to mark the martyrdom of Hazrat Ali.(RA).

The mourners will take out 24 processions  the district. The main procession would emerge from Mohanpura and will proceed to Kashmiri Bazaar, Fowara chowk, Iqbal Road, Nia Mohallah. The procession would culminate at Colonel Maqbool Hussain Imambargah  Meanwhile, City Police Officer (CPO), Ahsan Tufail visited the main routes of mourning procession and expressed satisfaction over the security arrangement. The police spokesperson said that the police would utilise all the resources to monitor the situation minutely. He added that any suspicious individual would be arrested and shifted to the police station immediately for investigation.

The SP Rawal has been appointed as supervisor officer of security while it would be commanded by the CPO. 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 26^th, 2019.