Police devise Ashura security plans

Sindh police chief Mushtaq Ahmed Mahar has directed the police force to ensure security arrangements in sensitive areas on Ashura.

IGP Mahar was heading a meeting with senior police personnel on Wednesday, also attended by religious scholars who highlighted potential issues.

Mahar directed police officials to assist the religious scholars in resolving these issues, further stating that the officials should present regular reports on the monitoring and preparations for Ashura.

Furthermore, he ordered the relevant officers to strengthen coordination with the Rangers and other law enforcement agencies at the district level and ensure the timely collection and sharing of intelligence.

"The police should also ensure the implementation of standard operating procedures, including the use of masks, gloves, sanitisers and social distancing in the majalis and processions," he stated, adding that the guidelines issued by the Command and Control Unit should also be made a part of the contingency plans.

He further maintained that security arrangements at locations reserved for majalis and processions could be made effective with planning and strategy.

The meeting was attended by the Sindh headquarters DIG, Operations AIG and others, while the Special Branch AIG, Sukkur AIG, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Shaheed Benazirabad, Larkana and Sukkur DIGs along with all district SSPs attended the meeting via video link.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 20^th, 2020.