Over 2,000 security personnel to secure Eid congregations

Vehicles will not be allowed to be parked near Eidgahs

RAWALPINDI: Over 2,000 security officials are expected to be deployed at 1,114 locations across Rawalpindi district to ensure security for Eidul Fitr prayers.

As many as 400 rescue workers will also be deployed to respond to any emergency situation.

The Rawalpindi Police on Sunday finalized security arrangements for Eidul Fitr prayers, said Rawalpindi City Police Officer (CPO), Faisal Rana.

Under the security plan Police personnel, Police national volunteers, private security guards and women police will be deployed for security of all important places in the district.

He said that the arrangements have been made for 961 mosques, 71 Imambargahs and 82 open places in the district where Eidul Fitr prayers will be held.

CPO Rana said that there will be no permission to park vehicles, motorbikes, cycles or handcarts near mosques and Imambarghas.

Moreover, he assured that all-out efforts will be made for the protection of citizens and the best possible arrangements will be made in this regard.

Further, he said that they have enhanced and strengthened police patrolling in the district.

Earlier, he said that the district police had devised a security plan for the 16 Ramazan bazaars, 2,088 mosques, 87 Imambargahs and major markets for the holy month with over 1,500 cops and 400 national volunteers deployed.

The mosques and Imambarghas had been divided into three categories and three police personnel were deployed on every A category mosque, he added.

Security arrangements were enhanced for the holy month in consultation with traders, ulema and members of peace committees. As many as 25 special Police check posts were set up in the city particularly at commercial areas to ensure the security of citizens, he added.

A special security plan was devised for last 10 days of Ramazan, he said adding, special check posts were established for the checking of vehicles at the entry and exit points of the city.

Emergency responders

As many as 400 rescuers will perform duties on Eidul Fitr to cope with any emergency, a Rescue 1122 spokesperson said.

The official added that the emergency response and management plans have been chalked out by all district emergency officers in consultation with all stakeholders in district emergency board meetings. The plans will ensure effective and efficient management of any untoward incident during the Eid holidays.

Special mobile rescue posts will provide optimum emergency cover at major Eid prayer venues. The provincial monitoring cell and patient transfer services cell at Rescue 1122 Headquarters will remain operational round-the-clock to ensure effective implementation of district emergency plans.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 3^rd, 2019.