Security was heightened across the province on Monday. Bahawalpur has been declared ‘sensitive’ in terms of threat.
As many as 9,000 jawans and policemen have been deployed for security of processions and majalis in Bahawalpur with 55 sites flagged as troubled spots. Eight companies of Pakistan Army and Rangers will also remain on standby.
As many as 516 processions and 1,376 majalis will be held across Bahawalpur division. Of these, 57 processions and 124 majalis were declared sensitive. CCTV cameras and walkthrough gates have been installed along procession routes.
Regional Police Officer (RPO) Rai Muhammad Tahir told newsmen entrance of strangers would be prohibited at the processions. He said pickets had been established at important locations.
He said sensitive processions and majalis would be monitored through CCTV cameras and video recordings.
He said policemen would also be deployed at rooftops along procession routes.
He said police teams and the Elite Force would regularly patrol the processions and public gatherings.
He said control rooms had been set-up at his office and the DPO’s office at Bahawalnagar to monitor the proceedings. He said information could be obtained or delivered to these control rooms in case of an emergency.
The RPO said entry of 144 clerics in Bahalwalpur had been banned and 74 had been barred from making public speeches.
Bahawalpur DCO Imran Sikander Baloch imposed Section 144 and banned pillion riding on the 9th and 10th of Muharram.
He said use of loudspeakers would be prohibited. He said making provocative speeches, distribution of provocative literature as well as wall-chalking had been banned.
The DCO said shops along procession routes would be closed. He said no vehicles would be allowed near processions and gatherings.
He said parking sites for vehicles had been marked at a distance.
In Rahim Yar Khan, District Police Officer Sohail Zaffar Chatta said 52 clerics had been banned from entering the district and 20 men had been banned from making any speeches. He said there would be 228 processions and 458 majalis in Rahim Yar Khan.
Rescue 1122 Bahawalpur Division Emergency Officer Malik Asif Rahim Channar had all teams would remain vigilant. He said arrangements had been made for ambulances, fire vehicles and rescue and recovery vehicles.
In Faisalabad, DCO Noorul Amin Mengal said all resources had been mobilised by the district administration to keep law and order under control on Ashura.
The DCO said security had been tightened in the district in the wake of the bombing in Lahore and the security plan had been reviewed again.
He said administrative and security arrangements were being monitored by the control room and 12 CCTV cameras installed at the imambargah at Doglouspura, Dhobi Ghat ground, Aminpur Bazar and Chowk Clock Tower.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 4th, 2014.
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