Police brace up for PDM rally

Formal planning not done by law enforcement agencies for ‘unauthorised’ event

LAHORE:

Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) planned public meeting in the provincial capital has become a challenge for the police and other law enforcement agencies in terms of security measures.

Punjab government's refusal to allow the rally due to the coronavirus pandemic and security threats has added to the difficulties for the police. The department has not formally prepared a security plan for the event.

As per past the tradition, organisers of any public or political gathering in the city seek permission from the district administration.

After the permission is granted, the police prepare a security plan and the names and duty points of all officers and personnel are listed. The CCPO, DIG or SSP operations visit the duty points and check the arrangements as per the plan.

SSP Operations Ahsan Saif told The Express Tribune that holding the gathering without permission was an illegal activity but because there was a security threat alert, the police were making full arrangements.

For the past week, search operations have been conducted on a daily basis around Greater Iqbal Park, where the gathering will be held.

Dolphin Force and Police Response Unit will be on constant patrol around the venue. The anti-riots force will also be on the ground to deal with any emergency.

Saif said all the SPs, DSPs and SHOs would patrol the roads leading to the venue and check suspicious persons. About 3,000 police personnel will be deployed outside the venue.

DIG Operations Ashfaq Khan said the police had been alerted at the entry points of the city. All people entering the city are being checked.

He said the coronavirus safety standard operating procedures (SOPs) would be enforced in accordance with the law.

The city is on high alert and security has been increased at all important places.

Heavy contingents of police have also conducted flag marches in all areas to create a sense of security among the people. However, the officials expressed ignorance regarding the arrest of PDM workers.

Chief Traffic Officer Syed Hamad Abid said no formal traffic plan had been prepared but the number of wardens deputed on the routes to Greater Iqbal Park had been increased. Parking of vehicles will not be allowed along the main road leading to Minar-e-Pakistan. Lifters will operate on the roads around Greater Iqbal Park to remove illegally parked vehicles.

Abid said that due to security concerns, the traffic police had made arrangements on their own and in case of any untoward incident all the roads leading to the hospitals should be cleared. After the Punjab government refused to allow the rally, the PDM organisers reportedly decided that the security of the venue would be handed over to a group of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) volunteers.

Abdul Razzaq Lakho of the Ansarul Islam, along with about thousands of workers, will be in charge of security. The workers will wear khaki shalwar kameez and carry sticks, but no weapon.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has reportedly assigned the security inside the park to its Sher Jawan Force, youth wing and students federation.

PML-N leaders have accused the police of cracking down on its workers and raiding their homes to prevent them from attending the rally. CCTV footage of a raid on the house of PML-N leader Syed Amir Shah in Gulshan-e-Ravi was also released.

However, the police denied having raided the homes of local political leaders. Some PML-N activists said they had gone into hiding because of the fear of raids and would reach the venue along with groups of supporters.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13^th, 2020.