Security to be tightened in Machh
Members of the Hazara community stage a sit-in on University Road to protest the killing of 11 miners in Machh, Balochistan. PHOTO: ONLINE
The Balochistan government has decided to increase and tighten security across the town of Machh where 11 coal miners were brutally killed in an attack claimed by Dai’sh on January 3.
In this regard, Naseerabad Division Commissioner Abid Saleem Qureshi held a special meeting with mine owners, contractors and trade union representatives in Machh.
The representatives of district administration, intelligence agencies and law enforcement agencies were also present on the occasion.
Special consultations were held with all the stakeholders to identify sensitive areas in the town of Machh. Concerns of owners and contractors were addressed in detail to determine the future course of action by authorities concerned.
Police, Frontier Corps and Levies officials were taken on board to come up with a plan to set up check posts throughout the town, including entry and exit points.
During the meeting, opinion was also sought from the mine owners to identify sensitive places in order to avert unfortunate incidents like the Machh tragedy in the future.
Later on, the Naseerabad Commissioner held a special meeting with the representatives of law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
The participants of the meeting agreed to consider the suggestions of the miners and decided to provide security to them.
Intelligence agencies were tasked with the responsibility of collecting information through their informers and sources present on the ground. This information would be vetted before being passed on to authorities.
The precautionary measures taken during the meeting include significantly increasing number of police, FC and Levies personnel in Machh City and other adjoining areas. The Mines inspector was also directed to compile details of all the people working in Machh coal mines every week and share the with the district administration.
Locations will be identified where FC, police and Levies forces will carry out their duties separately.
Levies and police forces will also plan out a course of action in case of any threats so that there is no confusion during an emergency.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 13th, 2021.