Banned outfits resurging across Punjab: Reports

Punjab govt directs police to closely monitor religious seminaries.

LAHORE:

Following intelligence reports of resurging banned militant outfits and indoctrination of students by religious seminaries across the Punjab, the provincial government has directed law enforcement chiefs to monitor the situation closely, The Express Tribune has learnt.

Intelligence reports revealed that proscribed organisations have resurfaced, especially in southern Punjab.

After receiving this report, the Punjab government sent a circular to police and other law enforcement agencies across the province, directing them to gather details of seminaries involved in ‘imparting militant education to their pupils.’

They have also been directed to strictly monitor 30 religious seminaries across the province. Of these 30, eight are located each in Lahore and Bahawalpur, four each in Multan and Rahim Yar Khan, three in Jhang, two in Sialkot and one in Lodhran.

Taking note of re-emergence of leaders and activists of banned militant groups in the province, the authorities directed law enforcement agencies to stringently monitor all terror suspects mentioned in the fourth schedule of the anti-terrorism act.

The authorities have also directed law enforcement agencies to propose suggestions for banning new organisations whose activists have been involved in suspicious activities.

Despite being banned  earlier, these organisations continue to flourish under new names.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 27^th,  2011.