Muharram security: With limited resources, Hyderabad range vulnerable to violence

Shortage of personnel, negligence of officials and terror threats add to the DIG’s woes

HYDERABAD:

With around 150 troubled spots, 73 firebrand speakers, 51 extremists under the anti-terrorism watch and added threats of terrorism, the under-resourced Hyderabad range police are undertaking the daunting task of Muharram security in the region. According to Hyderabad DIG Dr Sanaullah Abbassi, the police have received intelligence reports of a possible terrorist attack in Hyderabad district.

The situation is further aggravated, partly by the lax enforcement of certain security components as well as the shortage of around 3,700 personnel - 20 per cent of the required force for the nine districts in the region. The total required deployment for Muharram 9 and 10 is 18,808 personnel. On the other hand, only 15,118 policemen are available in the whole range.



The shortfall will be partially met through around 1,000 under-training recruits, curtailing office staff for the two days and 1,086 Rangers personnel. One company of the army, comprising 200 troops, has been kept in reserve while 50 soldiers will perform security duty in Dadu district.

The security arrangements are being made for 1,714 mourning processions, 129 Tazia processions and 2,367 majalis held during the first 10 days of Muharram, according to the contingency plan prepared by the DIG office. However, a majority of these processions and majalis have not obtained the licence to organise the events. Only 487 mourning processions out of 1,714 and 197 majalis out of 2,367 are licenced.

There are also dozens of expected flashpoints at some of the 1,878 mosques and 605 madaris in the region. Clashes are expected at some of these points.



As many as 1,766 personnel - between five and 16 at each site, depending on the area's sensitivity - will be deployed at the trouble spots. "The places with a history of conflict, processions passing through areas, mosques or madaris of hostile sects, length and breadth of processions and coincidence with Azan or khutba are the potential trouble spots," explained the DIG.

Enforcement gaps

DIG Sanaullah Abbasi told The Express Tribune that he had received a terror alert that ambulances, water tankers, fire tenders and media DSNGs could be used in an attack in Hyderabad. According to the security SOPs for the region prepared before the start of Ashura, each of these vehicles were to be issued special passes to enter a designated area hosting Ashura activity.

However, Edhi's regional incharge, Mairaj, denied that he was given instructions in this regard. "No official has contacted us for any security-related issue for Muharram," he told The Express Tribune. The operators of water tankers and municipality staff also expressed ignorance regarding such SOPs.

When this was pointed out to the DIG, he admitted negligence on the part of the district police, assuring that strict implementation would be ensured from Muharram 8 to 10.

Similarly, most of the 21 Shia ulemas out of the 73 banned religious leaders are reportedly addressing the majalis. One of them has even been granted a police security squad for security. Another omission which can comprise security is the continued transfers and postings of police officers who are new to a given area. A DSP, Shahid Qureshi, from Larkana district was posted two days ago in Hyderabad's Market subdivision which is considered sensitive due to the presence of hostile sects coupled with high levels of Muharram activity.

The Hyderabad range police also do not walk-through gates as only five are at their disposal. Separately, 107 CCTV cameras, 110 metal detectors, 87 video recorders and 213 walkie-talkies are available and being used for security.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 3^rd, 2014.