Security gaps endangering devotees’ safety

Visitors at the Data Darbar feel insecure within the premises of Lahore’s largest shrine

LAHORE:

Inadequate security measures at Lahore's revered shrines pose grave risks to devotees and visitors, as revealed by recent investigations. Guards, often lacking proper training and hired on daily wages or through private security firms, fail to conduct thorough physical searches of visitors and their belongings.

Moreover, malfunctioning walk-through gates and deficient manual scanners further exacerbate security vulnerabilities, fostering an environment ripe for pickpocketing, extortion, and even kidnappings within the shrine precincts.

Lahore Division hosts 57 shrines, including 4 major Darbars: Data Darbar, Bibi Pak Daman Darbar, Mian Mir Darbar, and Madhu Lal Darbar. Among these, Data Darbar stands out, attracting over 50,000 devotees daily and witnessing a staggering 1.5 million devotees during its annual Urs celebrations. Tragically, Data Darbar has been targeted by terrorism twice, with devastating attacks claiming numerous lives in 2010 and 2019.

Presently, security at Data Darbar and other shrines relies on a mix of guards—daily wage watchmen, security personnel contracted from private firms, and a limited police presence. However, the efficacy of these measures remains questionable. Walk-through gates frequently malfunction, while handheld scanners often lack functioning batteries, rendering them ineffective in detecting potential threats.

Data Darbar, in particular, has become a hotspot for criminal activity, with pickpockets preying on unsuspecting devotees, many of whom hail from distant regions and lack awareness of the dangers lurking within the shrine's premises. Muhammad Dastgir, a pilgrim from Okara, who visits Data Darbar regularly, lamented, "criminals and terrorists can easily enter by taking advantage of the cursory search conducted by the police and private guards stationed here."

Instances of fraud and exploitation, often facilitated by intoxicants, further compound the security challenges faced by visitors. Ruqqaiya Younis expressed her concerns, stating, "suspicious men and women keep roaming around the women's section, making us feel insecure."

Disturbingly, reports of women and children being abducted from Data Darbar underscore the urgent need for enhanced security protocols. Certain gangs, as highlighted by police sources, target vulnerable individuals, particularly women and children, through langar distribution centres within or near the shrine. These perpetrators exploit the naivety of their victims, many of whom are runaways or strangers to Lahore, luring them into dangerous situations with false promises.

In response to these concerns, Secretary Auqaf and Religious Affairs Department, Punjab, Tahir Bukhari, outlined ongoing security measures, including the deployment of trained watchmen and contracted security guards, supplemented by round-the-clock police presence and extensive CCTV coverage. “Presently, 36 watchmen are working on daily wages at Data Darbar on behalf of the department.

Moreover, services of 78 guards have also been procured from a security company. Additionally, a police force headed by the DSP Security Data Darbar is present at each gate 24 hours a day. Apart from this, monitoring is done through 130 CCTV cameras,” explained Bukhari while talking to the Express Tribune.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 25^th, 2024.