Foolproof measures: Security arrangements for JuD convention finalised

Over 3,000 policemen will secure the venue.

LAHORE: City police have finalised a security plan for the two-day Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) convention set to start at Minto Park today (Thursday) The Express Tribune has learnt.

Over 3,000 policemen including 34 SHOs, 15 DSPs, two SPs will be deployed at the park to secure the venue. Nearly 60 snipers would remain on-guard at 60 rooftops in its vicinity. Officials from the Special Branch, the Mujahid and the Elite Combat force will also be posted at the venue.

Security SP Malik Liaqat told The Express Tribune that the convention venue would have six entry points. He said the plan would regulate the patrolling and stationary assignments of the police. Liaqat said there would be three-tier security to mitigate the chances of any untoward incident. He said CCTV cameras and walkthrough gates had been installed at the venue to monitor the proceeding around-the-clock.  Liaqat said alternative energy sources would be available as back-up to power the search lights that have been placed at and around the venue. He said the JuD would be responsible for stalls being set up at the venue and catering arrangements for the event. Liaqat said police had briefed JuD officials on how the law and order situation was not conducive to holding rallies. He said they had also been briefed on the dos and the don’ts of holding a convention. Liaqat said police and the JuD had agreed on various points regarding the code of conduct to be followed with regard to regulating entry and exit points, the placing of containers at points leading to the venue, the stage committee and the party volunteers assigned duties at the venue.

City SP Asad Sarfaraz Khan told The Express Tribune that a search had been carried out in the venue’s vicinity. He said the shopkeepers and the residents of the area had assured the police that that they would not harbour suspicious elements before and during the event. Khan said streets in the area were being plugged and road leading to the venue were being secured.

JuD arrangements:

The JuD has established nearly 70 camps across the city to meet and greet those converging on Lahore to participate in the convention. A JuD spokesperson said nearly 18 tent cities had been established at the venue to provide the participants with lodging facilities. He said three tent cities had been reserved for women. Around 3,000 JuD volunteers will collaborate with police to secure the venue and another 12,000 volunteers will discharge administrative duties there.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 4^th, 2014.