Eid Miladun Nabi processions: Rawalpindi police prepare security, traffic plans

Rescue 1122 to be on high alert for possible emergencies.

RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi police will be deploying around 5,500 personnel in the district to ensure security for the processions of Eid Miladun Nabi.

According to details shared by City Police Officer Hamyoun Bashir Tarar, foolproof security arrangements have been finalised for 12 Rabiul Awwal with over 1,500 cops deployed to secure the main procession in the garrison city.. Police reserves will also be on high alert to meet any eventuality.  According to a spokesman of Rawalpindi Police, ulema, mushaiksh and religious scholars of different sects have also been taken on board to promote religious harmony.

Additional forces of Special Branch, Elite Force, lady police and motorcycle squads and members of the district peace committee will be deployed around the city. Moreover, security arrangements for Taxila, Wah, Gujar Khan, Murree, Kahuta and other areas have also been finalised. There would also be strict monitoring of the procession with CCTV cameras and parking of vehicles will not be allowed at the route of the procession. Additionally, no one will be allowed to stand on rooftops of commercial and residential buildings situated along the route of the main procession while armed police personnel will be deployed on the rooftops.

Alternative traffic plan

The Rawalpindi City Traffic Police have also issued an alternative traffic plan for the city for Sunday.

The processions will pass through DAV College Chowk, Fawara Chowk, Raja Bazaar, Bansaa Wala Chowk and Banni Chowk and traffic on these routes will be diverted.

Rawalpindi City Traffic Officer Shoaib Khurram Janbaz said no public or private vehicles will be allowed to ply on routes designated for the Milad processions.

Commuters and motorists travelling to Islamabad have been asked to use alternative routes including Airport Road, Rialto Chowk, Tipu Road, Rawal Road and Murree Road ahead of Chandi Chowk to reach the capital.

Ambulances, fire brigade and other emergency service vehicles will, however, be allowed along the processions after being checked properly.

As many as 570 traffic officials including four deputy superintendents of police, 16 inspectors, 500 traffic wardens and 50 junior wardens will be deployed to regulate traffic in the city.

“Emergency squads have also been appointed to maintain the flow of traffic in the city,” Janbaz said.    The CTO added that directives have also been issued to traffic officials to ensure parking at distances from the procession routes.

He also asked traffic wardens to remove all kind of encroachments from the procession routes besides keeping an eye on any suspicious activities.

“Strict disciplinary action will be taken against delinquent officials,” the CTO said further.

The citizens have been asked to contact the traffic police on 1915 helpline to inquire about the traffic situation while an emergency control room has also been set up.

Rescue 1122 on high alert

The Rescue 1122 Emergency Service will be on high alert with paramedical rescue staff and fully-equipped emergency vehicles to provide swift response in case of any untoward incident. Rescue 1122, Director General Dr Rizwan Naseer has cancelled leaves of rescuers and they have been assigned special emergency duties for effectively covering gatherings of Eid Miladun Nabi. In Rawalpindi, over 400 rescuers will remain on special duties in the District Control Room, Emergency Rescue Stations with 14 fully-equipped ambulances, 12 fully-equipped fire trucks and three rescue and recovery vehicles. Moreover, four special mobile posts will also be established for effectively providing medical cover to the public processions. Rescue posts will be established at Committee Chowk, Banni Chowk, Raja Bazaar and 22 No Chungi. The rescuers will be performing duty till the end of the processions and the public is requested to immediately call 1122 in case of any emergency.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4^th, 2015.