Muharram security: Seven areas in AJK declared sensitive

A code of conduct has been released under which arms display is banned.

MUZAFFARABAD:

Seven areas have been declared sensitive in Azad Jammu and Kashmir during Muharram, a top police official said on Monday.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Malik Khuda Bukhsh Awan said seven areas among 90 have been declared sensitive during the month of Muharram.

Besides the police 1,500 government employees and scouts will assist the law enforcement personnel to maintain peace, sectarian harmony in the state during Muharram.

Awan said 4,000 policemen would be deployed to protect the processions at 1,181 places where the display of arms and misuse of loudspeakers have already been banned.

He said that peace committees comprising of members of the public would work for the promotion of sectarian harmony while 68 ambulances will be provided to the mourners during the processions and rallies.

The IGP said that a code of conduct has also been released under which wall chalking, misuse of loudspeakers and display of arms has been completely banned.

He said the processions would be monitored through closed circuit cameras while additional policemen have also been deployed at 41 entry and exit points of Azad Kashmir.

Some 337 hotels, 118 guest houses, 1,271 mosques and 182 shrines have been put under surveillance, IGP Awan added.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 5^th, 2013.