Stay safe: Security during Eid holidays to be provided by 1,392 police personnel

DPO says in case of shortage of personnel, administrative committees will be asked to deploy volunteers

BAHAWALPUR:

Eidul Azha prayers will be offered at 369 locations in Bahawalpur district on Friday, DPO Sarfraz Ahmad Falki said on Thursday. “We have made fool proof security arrangements at all locations,” he said. 

He said the locations had been placed in categories – 33 locations were put in Category A, 70 in Category B and 266 locations were put in Category C. Falki said 27 inspectors and SHOs, 178 sub inspectors and assistant sub inspectors, 815 head constables and constables along and 365 police and national volunteers would perform security duties at these locations.

The DPO said it was traditional for the faithful to offer Eid prayers at mosques and later congregate at various parks and public places to sacrifice animals and greet each other.

“The security plan has been made to ensure the safety of citizens and thwart any possible terrorist activity in the district,” he said.

The DPO urged citizens to report any suspicious activity in their areas. Security arrangements have also been made for days preceding Eidul Azha and two days after it.

He said a large number of visitors thronged the main markets and plazas in days leading up to Eid. Police station supervisors had been tasked with deploying officials at public places in their areas, especially at international food chains.

On Eid Day, most of the cops would be stationed at Eid Gahs, mosques and at Imam Bargahs. The cops will frisk everyone entering these buildings. He said SDPOs and SHOs had been tasked with surveying the locations prior to Eid. They have also been tasked with assigning officials to duty points and briefing them about the duties. In case of shortage of personnel, administrative committees would be called up to deploy volunteers in their stead, he said.

Relevant officials and SHOs had been asked to meet with members of peace committees at police stations and to brief them about the security arrangements for Eidul Azha.

He said the officials had been told to remain in contact with peace committees throughout the occasion in case a law and order situation develops. “Close coordination will be maintained so that there is no delay.”

Police deployed at parks and public places will remain on high alert and cops on duty on Sunday will especially patrol the Highway.

Elite Force’s quick response force (QRF) teams will also be deployed at various points. Motorcycle squad will also patrol the city and ensure peace in their respective areas. Police women will also be deployed at parks to frisk the women vising them. He said they were expecting crowds at several graveyards in the districts. “We have deployed several officials and SHOs at the major graveyards.”

Walkthrough gates and jammers will be installed at the major mosques and cops of the special branch will conduct a security sweep of the locations. A control room has been established at the Legal Affairs DSP’s office and a control room has been established at the DPO’s office. They will supervise the security situation in the district from September 24 evening till September 27 evening. Legal Affairs DSP Kanwar Muhammad Qasim will supervise the control rooms.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 25^th, 2015.