In this regard, the district police officer (DPO) Bilal Sidique Kamiyana has asked shia police officials to monitor sunni shrines as well as the speeches of sunni clerics and vice versa. Kamiyana said that these new measures would ensure that all bias and inflammatory sentiments were marginalized.
Over 1,255 majaalis are to be held in Sialkot from Muharram 1 to 15 amid tight security. Out of the total number, 163 majaalis have been listed in the A category (high alert), 97 in the B category and 995 in the C category.
During the period, 334 Muharram processions are expected to be taken out in the district out of which 104 processions would be licenced and 230 will be informal.
“I have tried to assign an equal number of shia and sunni police officials to guard each procession to try and keep things neutral,” Kamiyana said. Paramilitary troops will also be patrolling on all the main roads in Sialkot, Daska, Sambrial, Pasrur and surrounding areas.
The Pak Army has been assisting the Sialkot civil administration in maintaining peace in sensitive districts. Senior Pak Army and government officials reviewed the new security plans being implemented by Sialkot police for keeping peace and law and order situation under control.
“The army will also patrol all sensitive areas with the police and all mosques, churches and madaaris will be provided with extra security,” said district coordination officer (DCO) Mujahid Sher.
The DCO has urged the ulema to shun their sectarian differences in the larger national interest of the people. “All people found inciting religious hatred will be arrested and dealt with an iron first,” he said.
He stated that extraordinary measures had been taken to protect the processions and the rallies that were to be taken out at various locations in the district and that all concerned quarters had been strictly directed to report any untoward incident. “All the ulema have been warned not o make frantic and sulphurous speeches to incite the public.
We should try and promote peace and harmony during Muharram rather than rage,” he said. The DPO said that the district administration was banning the entry
of 23 religious clerics from different sects in the district during the month of Muharram. “Police officials monitoring their speeches have said that they have often targeted rival minority groups and that they are liable to incite violence,” Kamiyana said.
Surveillance cameras are currently being installed in all the imambargahs and major procession routes in the Sialkot district.
The provincial government has also formed a special committee for the protection of worship places in the district. The holidays of all policemen and other security officials have been cancelled until the month is over.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 11th, 2010.
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