Foolproof arrangements: Authorities brace for Ashura in Bahawalpur

Over 10,000 policemen deployed across region, military on standby

BAHAWALPUR: Foolproof security arrangements have been made throughout the region to ensure the peaceful passage of Muharram, RPO Ehsan Sadiq said on Friday.

Sadiq made the remarks while speaking to pressmen. He said police had established a control room to continuously monitor processions and gatherings across the region. Sadiq said 85 processions and 156 gatherings would be organised across the region on Muharram 9. Of these, he said eight processions and 23 gatherings had been declared extremely sensitive. He said 203 processions and 84 gatherings would be organised on Muharram 10 across the region. Of these, Sadiq said 32 processions and 12 gatherings had been declared extremely sensitive. The RPO said special security arrangements had been made to secure the sensitive processions and gatherings. He said over 10,000 policemen had been deployed to secure the region. Sadiq said one company of the military would remain on standby to deal with any untoward situation in Bahawalnagar and Bahawalpur each. He said three companies would remain on standby in this regard for Rahim Yar Khan.



Sadiq said CCTV cameras had been installed across various locations to monitor developments at gatherings and processions. He said footage of gatherings and processions was also being recorded. Sadiq said police had installed different types of barriers to prevent suspects from entering gatherings and processions. He said those wanted to join the gatherings and processions would be frisked four times. The RPO said different entry and exit points of procession and gathering venues had been earmarked. He said police would only retire following the peaceful conclusion of Ashura.

Praising the media, he said it had a pivotal role to essay in case of any untoward situation. He said the media had always played a positive role with regard to such instances.

Traffic

“Peace can only be maintained in Muharram with citizens’ cooperation,” Traffic DSP Naveed Mumtaz said.

He said a plan had been formulated to ensure smooth flow of traffic in Bahawalpur on Ashura to prevent citizens from getting inconvenienced. Over 100 officials have been deployed to ensure smooth flow of traffic along procession routes.

Rescue-1122 finalises arrangements

Malik Asif Rahim Channar of Rescue-1122 said the emergency had finalised arrangements for Ashura.

Channar made the remarks at a meeting. He said Rescue-1122 had devised a comprehensive plan to deal with any untoward situation on the occasion.

Channar said four special camps had been established at the Chah Fateh Shia Mosque, Chowk Bazaar, Hussaini Chowk and Model Town Karbala under the plan. He said six emergency points had also been established at Chah Fateh Khan Bazaar, Chowk Bazaar, Imambargah Roshan Ali, Shahdara, Lorry Ada and Fawwara Chowk. Channar said rescue personnel had been posted at the points.  He said wireless devices installed in rescue vehicles had been made completely functional. He said all communication would be carried out through wireless technology on the occasion of Ashura.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 24^th, 2015.