To keep the law and order situation under control during Muharram, security has been tightened in the provincial metropolis.
Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations) Tahir Ayub told The Express Tribune that all necessary arrangements have been made to ensure peace during the first month of the Islamic calender. According to him 4,000 additional personnel of police, Frontier Constabulary and Frontier Corps have been deployed at important points of the city and outside Imambargahs.
He further said the city has been declared sensitive and the police will be on red alert to cope with any untoward incident. Kohati, Qissa Khawani Bazaar and Kochi Bazaar have been marked as the most sensitive areas of the city.
As Peshawar is also connected to the tribal belt of the province, miscreants can easily enter the city. However to stop their infiltration into the metropolis, Tahir said that security has been beefed up at the entry and exit points and all the suspicious vehicles are being inspected. Moreover, security will be made more stringent during Ashura and the city will be completely sealed on the 10th of Muharram. The routes and timings of processions would be strictly observed. These measures are being taken to make sure no perpetrator gets an opportunity to create a sectarian crisis in the city, he added.
The first mourning procession of Muharram took place at the Yakkatoot area amid tight security. The district government has also imposed section 144 in the provincial capital during Muharram. Furthermore, a ban has been imposed on wall chalking, pillion riding and display of arms, while people have also been asked to refrain from wearing shawls during the procession.
The district government directed owners of houses, hotels and restaurants to inform relevant police stations prior to renting out to people.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 29th, 2011.
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