Gearing up: 10,000 cops to secure city in Muharram

CCPO says 615 processions will be held on 9th and 10th of Muharram.

LAHORE:

Some 10,000 policemen will be deployed in the city to keep peace during Muharram, Capital City Police Officer Captain (r) Amin Wains said on Saturday.

He said 5,369 majalis and 615 Muharram processions would be held on 9th and 10th of Muharram.

He urged the operations DIG to consider the recommendations of District Peace Committee before finalising the Muharram plan.

He said use of loud speakers was banned and in case of violations, the relevant station house officers should initiate legal proceedings against those found guilty.

He was addressing a meeting with the District Peace Committee at Qila Gujjar Singh. The district coordination officer, the operations DIG and the investigations DIG and 45 member of the DPC were present.

On the recommendations of the DPC, the CCPO said female constables should be deployed at women’s majalis. He also ordered SHOs to coordinate with the administration of mosques and ensure that they did not violate the ban on loud speakers.

DCO Captain (r) Usman said it was the job of the ulema to maintain and preach peace and harmony.

He said that they should teach people a lesson of tolerance and brotherhood. He said that district government would extend all sorts of help to ensure law and order in the city.

Operations DIG Haider Ashraf had earlier ordered SPs in charge of police divisions to prepare a three-pronged security plan.

He said that a comprehensive security plan would be finalised soon.

He said the SPs should stay in touch with the administration of imam bargahs and should monitor sensitive areas in their divisions.

He said volunteers with organisations holding majalis and rallies should also be given training, so they could assist in security duties.

He said lady constables and wardens would also be deputed and plans for their assignment should be prepared ahead of time. He said the police should monitor parking arrangements as well.

Ahsraf said a monitoring cell would be established at his office to monitor the processions. He said the CCPO will also be monitoring the security situation.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 12^th, 2014.