Police chalk out security plan

Rescue workers, police will not be getting any Eid holidays as they have been directed to remain vigilant during Eid.

LAHORE: Rescue workers and police will not be getting any Eid holidays as they have been directed to remain vigilant during Eid-ul-Azha. After terrorism threats in the city, security forces will remain on high alert during Eid. Extra contingents will be deployed at mosques and Eidgahs.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) (operations) Rao Sardar held a meeting with the divisional superintendents of police, on Monday, and directed them to take the measures necessary to ensure fool proof security during Eid. He told them to make sure parking lots were 200 metres away from Eid congregations. He said all arrangements should be made in coordination with the organisers.

Rescue 1122 and the Fire Brigade have had their Eid holidays cancelled. Emergency vehicles of Rescue 1122 and the Fire Brigade will be deputed at all major Eid congregations and sensitive areas along with trained staff.

Superintendent of Mobile police Munatzir Mehdi told The Express Tribune that extra police squads would be deployed to protect mosques. He said the squads would also be deployed at the markets. He said that special squads would also be deployed at 10 entry and exit points of the city. He said that 35 pairs of bikers and 25 Mujahid cars would patrol the city while 150 Elite Force personnel will be available as back up.

He said that over the past two weeks, the Mujahid Squad had arrested 250 criminals.

Rescue 1122 Director General Dr Rizwan Naseer held an emergency preparedness meeting to review arrangements for Eid-ul-Azha. He said that the rescuers had been assigned duties to provide emergency medical, rescue and fire fighting services during Eid holidays.

23 equipped emergency ambulances, 17 fire vehicles, 2 rescue vehicles and one water rescue vehicle along with a Disaster Rescue Team will be in place. Special mobile posts will also be established for providing effective medical cover for public gatherings. Rescue posts shall be established at 31 points in the city.

An Edhi official told The Express Tribune that they had devised a strategy under which their ambulances would be parked close to major  mosques during Eid prayers.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 21^st, 2010.