The provincial chief executive on Saturday reviewed the measures taken for security during Muharram in the province.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Saturday visited the Control Room set up at the Home Department.
The chief minister was briefed about the security arrangements and other necessary measures to ensure security of Muharram processions and congregations.
It was informed that foolproof security arrangements have been made especially in the sensitive areas for Muharram processions and congregations being held in 14 districts of the province.
Control rooms have also been set up at district level to closely monitor and coordinate security arrangements for Muharram processions. The districts level control rooms provide real time data and information Home Department control room.
The chief minister was further informed that extra security personnel had been deployed for the security of Imambargahs and traditional routes of Muharram processions whereas these processions are also being monitored through CTTV and drone cameras.
Muharram 9th processions conclude peacefully
The Muharram 9th processions concluded peacefully in the provincial capital with cellular network suspended and security beefed up and roads leading to the designated routes closed.
The procession in Saddar area started from Imamia Hall Husainia and concluded after going through the dedicated routs.
“We have adopted strict security measures by deploying 10,000 police personnel at different parts of the provincial capital besides additional deployment of the armed forces and Frontier Constabulary,” said Peshawar SSP Mansoor Amaan as he briefed media.
He informed that sharp shooters were deployed at rooftops and the routes were cleared by the bomb disposal unit besides jammers moved with the processions blocking all kinds of signals.
Strict security measures were seen around Saddar area where roads were blocked with barbed wires and restrictions were in place for unauthorised people on the identified routes. Apart from deployment of police, armed forces and frontier constabulary, helicopter was used for surveillance.
Processions’ routes disinfected
To ensure safety of the participants of Muharram processions and contain spread of Covid-19 pandemic, the Rescue 1122 disinfected several areas in the provincial capital on Saturday.
K-P Rescue 1122 Director General Dr Hateer Ahmed with the assistance of the provincial Relief Department has chalked out a comprehensive plan to spray the processions routes and congregation spots with disinfectants to avoid spread of coronavirus.
The Rescue 1122 has also set up some 100 points for checking blood pressure, respiratory problems of the mourners in the processions. Emergency response units with six ambulances, three firefighter teams have also been deployed.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 30th, 2020.
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