Police have chalked out a comprehensive security plan for majalis (religious gatherings) and processions of Ashura during Muharram.
DIG Operations Lahore Sajad Kiani said more than 10,000 police officers and officials including six SPs, 34 DSPs, 83 SHOs, personnel from Anti-Riot Force, Dolphin Squad, PRU and SSU will perform duties to provide complete protection to the participants of the mourning processions and majalis.
Kiani said all logistic and operational arrangements have been finalised along with a survey of the routes and Imam Bargahs.
He said implementation on government directions regarding coronavirus preventive measures will be ensured through enforcement teams in collaboration with Imam Bargahs, majalis and peace committees.
Kiani further said almost all the issues regarding trouble and flashpoints have been resolved with the consultation and mutual coordination of the local community at the police station level.
All the important mourning processions will be provided a cover of Elite Police as well, he added. Meetings with allied departments have been conducted to ensure timely completion of arrangements and community leaders, members of Peace committees. Parliamentarians have also been taken into confidence to obtain their support in maintaining peace during Muharram.
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The DIG Operations said maintaining peace in Muharram is Lahore Police‘s top priority as it is the most important and sensitive assignment of police to provide fool-proof security to all the mourning processions and related programmes of Muharram.
The police have completed consultation with members of district and local peace committees, Shia community, licence holders of majalis, religious and local representatives, traders, businessmen and residents of the related areas to ensure a peaceful atmosphere throughout the month.
Security audit has also been completed of all the streets, markets, commercial and residential areas along with shops on the routes of the processions.
Surety bonds and certificates have also been obtained from the related persons and residents of these areas.
CCTV cameras have been installed at all the routes of main processions by Punjab Safe Cities Authority to ensure non-stop monitoring. The district administration is also completing all its arrangements regarding the installation of cameras, roads patchwork, drainage and proper lighting on the routes of processions.
The participants of the Muharram processions will only be allowed to enter the processions after complete checking and body search by Lahore police officials and volunteers by metal detectors and walkthrough gates.
Lady police officers will check the female participants of the events in ladies search cabins. The entrances of all the streets falling under the routes of the main procession will be closed through barriers and barbed wire. Snipers will be deployed on high roofs to monitor all the movements of the processions and any possible suspects.
Dolphin Squad and Police Response Unit teams will ensure effective patrolling around Imam Bargahs and routes of mourning processions.
The volunteers are also being provided necessary training of checking individuals under Community Policing at District Police Lines Qilla Gujjar Singh. Police officials in civvies will also be present on the routes of processions to keep an eye on any possible suspects.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 10th, 2021.
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