Ashura concludes amid tight security

Streets falling on procession routes were sealed with barbed wires

LAHORE:

The city police made strict security arrangements as over 8,000 security personnel were deputed for Youm-e-Ashur processions and gatherings. Lahore CCPO Zulfiqar Hameed and DIG Operations Ashfaq Ahmad Khan visited the route sites on the day.

As many as 52 special check posts were made at different areas of the city to check the movements of the citizens and vehicles apart from exit and entry points of the city. Police personnel frisked the participants and vehicles at these specially made check posts and Entry and exit points to avoid any untoward situation. Over 8,000 police officers and officials including 14 SPs, 34 DSPs, 83 inspectors and 762 upper subordinates performed a duty to provide foolproof security to the mourners of gatherings and processions as well as citizens.

All the streets falling on the routes of the main procession were completely sealed with barbed wires, containers and barriers.

Snipers were deputed on the rooftops and vantage points on the routes of the main procession. The community volunteers along with police officers performed checking and search duties of on Youm-e-Ashur.

Women police officials, as well as volunteers, were also deputed at special checking cabins for body search of female participants. Teams of Dolphin and Mujahid Squads, Police Response Unit, Elite Force and Police Stations ensured effective patrolling around imambargahs and processions.

All the activities of Youm-e-Ashur at important places of the city including gatherings and processions were continuously monitored through CCTV cameras of the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) and the district government.

The main procession of Muharram started from Nisar Haveli inside the Walled City on the night of 9th Muharram and culminated at Karbala Gamay Shah in the next evening after passing through its designated route.

The route included Mochi Gate, Chowk Nawab Sahib, Chohata Mufti Baqar, Kashmir Bazaar, Rang Mahal, Sooha Bazaar, Mitha Bazaar, Tehsil Bazaar, Bhatti Gate and Bazaar Hakeeman. The participants offered prayer at Sonehri Mosque Rang Mahal. The day remained peaceful. During the day, heavy rain was also reported in various parts of the city.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 1^st, 2020.