Twin cities ready for Muharram
Security forces in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi are geared up for the holy month of Muharram, issuing security and traffic plans respectively, apart from conducting flag marches and search operations.
In the federal capital, security forces conducted a flag march.
Conducted under the supervision of Islamabad Police Industrial Area-SP Zubair Shaikh and Rural Zone-SP Farooq Butar, SDPOs and SHOs of all police stations in the federal capital, officials of the district administration, the Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP), police commandos, Rescue 15 officials, and other patrolling officials joined a convoy as it set off from the Pakistan Sports Complex. It snaked through various areas of the city before returning to the starting point for its conclusion.
Traffic management
The ITP has decided to deploy as many as 653 policemen along the routes of the 955 congregations and 179 processions in the city to avoid any inconvenience to commuters.
ITP SSP Farrukh Rasheed, while presiding over a meeting on Friday, explained the special traffic plan. He directed all DSPs to monitor traffic-related arrangements on the routes of processions in their respective areas. They were further directed to ensure proper parking arrangements for those joining religious gatherings. He also directed to ensure the availability of items used to divert traffic.
The SSP Traffic directed to constitute a special squad headed by an inspector which will be empowered to open any closed route in an emergency.
SSP Rasheed further directed to ensure that ITP vehicles are fit for duty while routine leaves of policemen were also cancelled.
In Rawalpindi, the traffic police will deploy over 1,000 personnel for 447 processions and 1,945 congregations. These include nine DSPs, 60 inspectors, 800 traffic wardens and 150 traffic assistants. Traffic diversion points will be set up in collaboration with the district police and traffic flow will be regulated through alternate routes.
Vehicular traffic will not be allowed near processions and gatherings while parking will be provided at a distance of 200 yards.
Security
Rawalpindi City Police Officer Ahsan Younis has declared Rawalpindi a highly sensitive district for Muharram.
In a news conference on Friday, he said that contingents from the police, army, and rangers will work together to provide security to mourning processions. The main processions will have three layers of security with 6,000 police personnel to be deployed for the purpose. Further, snipers will be deputed on rooftops along the procession route.
With the threat from the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) still credible, Younis said personnel will first ensure implementation of Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs).
To prevent another Raja Bazaar tragedy of 2013, he said that they have conducted 271 search operations in the district.
The CPO said that surety bonds will be obtained from owners of shops, hotels, inns and residences along the procession route. Further, CCTV cameras will be installed.
“The law enforcement services will do everything possible for the peace of Rawalpindi,” he said.
Pillion riding ban
The Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat has banned pillion riding of motorbikes for three days, from Muharram 8 to 10, under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) to maintain law and order during the holy month.
A notification in this regard was issued on Friday.
Younis, in his news conference, also said that pillion riding will be banned in Rawalpindi while a proposal to shut down mobile phone service is also under consideration.
Clerics banned
To curb sectarianism, Younis said that some 37 firebrand clerics will be barred from entering the district.
Also, for the first time, Younis said that it has proposed to place 17 people, who spread religious hatred on social media, on a government watch list, the fifth schedule.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 22nd, 2020.