Govt bans carrying arms, sticks during Eid

Sindh Home Department issues 11 regulations in its code of conduct.

KARACHI: No one will be allowed to carry arms, sticks or iron rods during the three days of Eidul Azha, according to a code of conduct issued by the Sindh Home Department, given that fights often erupt over lucrative hide collection.

This ban is also applicable on people who possess licensed arms. The home department issued the code of conduct of 11 regulations on Friday, during a meeting held by the home secretary and attended by representatives of various religious and welfare organisations.

Security personnel will be on alert during Eid to make sure there are no violations. Policemen will be patrolling all areas and will carry out snap-checking as well. The home department has requested volunteers collecting hides to cooperate with the police.

According to the code of conduct, all organisations involved in the collection of hides and skin will have to seek the permission of the home department and the relevant DCO. Only registered organisations, those who have signed the code of conduct, will be allowed to work during Eid.

These organisations cannot set up camps to collect hides and they cannot make announcements on loudspeakers from their cars or their offices. This regulation has been forward given the fact that residents should have the right to decide who they want to give the hides to without any pressure, said the notification.

Those residents who wish to donate hides can do so at mosques, madrassas and welfare organisations in their area.

When their volunteers are in the field, the collecting organisations must ensure that they have their Computerised National Identity Cards, organisation card and a copy of the permission letter given by either the home department or the DCO.

The government wants to ensure that the vehicles collecting hides are given security so the organisations must submit details of their transportation routes and stocking points to the relevant police station by November 15.

Anyone found violating the code of conduct will be punished and their hides will be confiscated.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 14^th, 2010.