Hides they seek

Police on tenterhooks fearing fights over collection of skins of sacrificial animals

KARACHI:

Sindh IGP Ghulam Nabi Memon in his directives to the police said that the instructions of the Sindh Home Department regarding the collection, transportation and distribution of hides of sacrificial animals should be implemented in accordance with the spirit of the code of conduct.

Hides of sacrificial animals is a source of funds for religious and philanthropic organisations.

However, many incidents of armed groups hijacking pickups loaded with skins have emerged in the past. Subsequently, police see the hide-collection season as a major security threat.

In addition, foolproof security measures should be taken at places of mass sacrifice, including mosques, imambargahs, Eid venues and other open spaces, to ensure prevention of crime and safety of life and property of the people. He said that the distribution of objectionable, distressing, literature and pamphlets besides mischievous wall chalking across the province should be stopped and indiscriminate action should be taken against the elements and miscreants involved in this act.

The IGP directed that at the provincial level, in addition to the cleaning process at all central mosques, imambargahs and other open spaces before Eid prayers, the relevant SHOs should get the details of the beginning and end of Eid prayers recorded at district wireless control rooms. Moreover, efforts should be made to ensure complete police control over law and order through random snap checking, picketing, patrolling and surveillance.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 8^th, 2022.