Over 21,000 personnel deployed for ‘Azadi march’ in Islamabad

Hospital emergency departments instructed to ensure maximum number of staff during sit-in

ISLAMABAD: The federal police have finalised duties of security personnel ahead of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Azadi March expected to reach Islamabad in a couple of days. More than 21,000 security personnel from police, Frontier Corps (FC) and Rangers would collectively perform duties during the march.

The security personnel would include 14,000 officers from Punjab police, 5,000 from federal police, 1,000 from Frontier Constabulary (FC) and 500 Rangers.

These personnel would be deployed to secure various spots in the city including 72 entry and exit points of the federal capital, important government buildings and surroundings of the ground in Sector H-9 where the participants, coming from different parts of the country, would merge.

Furthermore, some 200 traffic wardens and 150 personnel from special branch would also perform duties during the march.

Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC) has completed arrangements of lighting and water in the meeting ground.

According to the police sources, the security personnel were given a detailed briefing on Tuesday regarding their duties and they were told that the top priority should be to maintain law and order. The personnel were asked to behave well with the participants until they remained peaceful.

The protesters would not be allowed to stage protests at any other spot than the related ground or block roads while the administration would not create any hindrances for the protesters.

The sources said that the high command of police would remain available round the clock and would take action if the protesters turned hostile or committed any offence including heading towards the Red Zone or D-Chowk and confrontation with security personnel.

The police will also be having trucks which would be used for detaining and transporting the suspects to the police stations in case of any violent activity.

Security in the federal capital has been put on high alert besides deployment of additional contingents of police at sensitive places and important buildings.

"Islamabad police have tightened the security in the city ahead of so called 'Azadi March' by JUI-F and also ensured extra deployment in the various areas to avert any untoward incident," a police source said here on Tuesday.

Inspector General of Police Muhammad Aamir  Zulfiqar, he said, had directed for effective security measures in the city besides enhancing vigilance and patrolling steps. He has directed extra vigilance at entry as well as exit points of the city and directed for extra deployment of police personnel and security measures at important locations of the city including buildings, markets and important boulevards. He said police commandos should be deputed around sensitive locations and important buildings. Special police teams should be constituted by each police station for effective patrolling in its respective jurisdiction, he added.

Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations) Waqar Uddin Syed on Tuesday met with policemen came from other provinces here to perform security duties in context of Azadi March.

Accompanied by DIG (Headquarters) Muhammad Saleem and SSP (Headquarters), he briefed the policemen about their duties and asked them to ensure protection of the lives and property of citizens as per law, said a press release.

Syed said necessary equipment for security duties would be provided to policemen besides meal at their duty points and accommodation facilities during stay in the federal capital.

He also inquired about their issues and assured his full support to them.

Federal hospitals put on alert

The administrations of PIMS and Polyclinic Hospital have issued alert in the hospitals ahead of JUI-F’s Azadi march. Different departments including emergency departments have been instructed to ensure maximum number of staff during the entire period of the Azadi march.

The alert would remain enforced from today until further orders.

The hospitals’ administrations have directed the heads of all departments to prepare duty rosters for emergency duty of doctors and staff.

Furthermore, The hospital’s administrations have directed to ensure adequate supply of medicines, blood and other medical necessities.

The ambulance service has also been asked to remain attentive in case a mishap occurs.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 30^th, 2019.