Police finalise security plan for Yaum-e-Ali

Punjab Police has finalised the security plan for 21st Ramdan, the martyrdom day of Ali (RA) according to which over 33,000 police officials will be deployed to ensure three-tier security measures for Majalis, processions and other religious gatherings.

Over 2,649 police national volunteers, 267 special police personnel, and 5,270 volunteers will also perform security duties to ensure the safety of over 868 Majalis and 234 processions.

The security personnel included 396 gazetted officers, 634 inspectors, 1,305 sub-inspectors, 2,176 ASIs, 1,442 head constables and 18,861 constables. The volunteers also included 1,317 women.

CCTV monitoring and video recording for the security of sensitive processions and Majalis will also be done.

IG Punjab Rao Sardar Ali Khan instructed all supervisory officers to personally the security plan of Yaum-e-Ali (RA).

Khan further said that all available resources should be utilized to provide three-tier fool-proof security for processions and Majalis on the occasion of 21st Ramazan, the martyrdom day of Ali (RA) across the province.

RPOs and DPOs should personally supervise security arrangements for Hazrat Ali (RA) Day. He added that during security arrangements, police teams should maintain close coordination with Special Branch, CTD and other law enforcement agencies and there should be no delay in strict legal action against the display of weapons, violation of the Loudspeaker Act or attempt for breach of peace.

Khan also said that search, sweep, and intelligence-based combing operations should be continued on daily basis in the vicinity of routes and places of sensitive processions and Majalis while supervisory officers should give an effective briefing to the security personnel on duty sensitivity.

The IGP directed that snipers be deployed on roofs of buildings along the procession routes as well as cops in civvies along the procession route.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 23^rd, 2022.