Muharram security: 57 processions, 128 gatherings declared sensitive in division
RPO says he’s satisfied with security arrangements.
57 processions, 128 gatherings declared sensitive in division. PHOTO: APP/ FILE
BAHAWALPUR:
As many as 512 processions and 1,378 gatherings are scheduled on account of Muharram in the division, Regional Police Officer Muhammad Nawaz Warraich told The Express Tribune.
Briefing reporters about Muharram security arrangements, the RPO said that over 14,000 policemen and volunteers were performing security duty at processions and gatherings. Army and Rangers teams have also been deployed at some points.
He said 57 processions and 128 gatherings had been declared sensitive, most of those in the Bahawalpur district.
As many as 106 points have been declared as ‘trouble spots’. Of these, 56 places have been marked as highly sensitive points.
The RPO said police were satisfied with the security arrangements and hope that peace would be maintained. CCTV cameras and walk-through gates have been installed at entrances to processions and gatherings, along with special pickets installed on major roads of the division. At least 50 policemen have been deployed at each sensitive point.
He said closed-circuit television cameras had been installed at important points in the division to monitor the procession routes.
He said Elite Force personnel had been directed to patrol areas around the processions and gatherings. Control rooms have been set up at the offices of police chiefs in Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan districts.
The RPO said entry of 133 ulema had been banned in some districts. He said 83 ulema had been banned for gagging in the Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan districts.
Bahawalpur DCO Imran Sikander Baloch on Wednesday imposed Section 144 in the district to ensure law and order, particularly in the first 10 days of the month. Pillion riding, use of loudspeakers and assembly of five or more people have been banned. Shops along the routes of processions will remain closed.
District Police Officer Sohail Habib Tajik said 247 processions and 558 gatherings will be held in Bahawalpur district. Of these, 35 processions and 20 gatherings have been declared sensitive.
He said entry of 53 ulema had been banned in the district, while 29 had been stopped from making speeches.
Bahawalnagar DPO Ather Ismail Anwar said 31 ulema had been banned from entering the district, and 18 stopped from making speeches.
Malik Asif Rahim Channar, the Punjab Emergency Service divisional officer, said special security arrangements had been made for Muharram. He said the Rescue 1122 control room was open round the clock. He said mobile rescue posts, ambulances, fire vehicles, rescue vehicles and recovery vehicles had been put on alert.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 8th, 2013.
As many as 512 processions and 1,378 gatherings are scheduled on account of Muharram in the division, Regional Police Officer Muhammad Nawaz Warraich told The Express Tribune.
Briefing reporters about Muharram security arrangements, the RPO said that over 14,000 policemen and volunteers were performing security duty at processions and gatherings. Army and Rangers teams have also been deployed at some points.
He said 57 processions and 128 gatherings had been declared sensitive, most of those in the Bahawalpur district.
As many as 106 points have been declared as ‘trouble spots’. Of these, 56 places have been marked as highly sensitive points.
The RPO said police were satisfied with the security arrangements and hope that peace would be maintained. CCTV cameras and walk-through gates have been installed at entrances to processions and gatherings, along with special pickets installed on major roads of the division. At least 50 policemen have been deployed at each sensitive point.
He said closed-circuit television cameras had been installed at important points in the division to monitor the procession routes.
He said Elite Force personnel had been directed to patrol areas around the processions and gatherings. Control rooms have been set up at the offices of police chiefs in Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan districts.
The RPO said entry of 133 ulema had been banned in some districts. He said 83 ulema had been banned for gagging in the Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan districts.
Bahawalpur DCO Imran Sikander Baloch on Wednesday imposed Section 144 in the district to ensure law and order, particularly in the first 10 days of the month. Pillion riding, use of loudspeakers and assembly of five or more people have been banned. Shops along the routes of processions will remain closed.
District Police Officer Sohail Habib Tajik said 247 processions and 558 gatherings will be held in Bahawalpur district. Of these, 35 processions and 20 gatherings have been declared sensitive.
He said entry of 53 ulema had been banned in the district, while 29 had been stopped from making speeches.
Bahawalnagar DPO Ather Ismail Anwar said 31 ulema had been banned from entering the district, and 18 stopped from making speeches.
Malik Asif Rahim Channar, the Punjab Emergency Service divisional officer, said special security arrangements had been made for Muharram. He said the Rescue 1122 control room was open round the clock. He said mobile rescue posts, ambulances, fire vehicles, rescue vehicles and recovery vehicles had been put on alert.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 8th, 2013.