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Over 50 points pinpointed as most sensitive areas
CCPO says special focus is on shrines, imambargahs’ security
LAHORE: City police has chalked out a security plan for Muharram processions to avoid any untoward incident across the provincial metropolis, Daily Times learnt on Friday.
The police high-ups have deputed special trained snipers on rooftops of buildings located adjacent to the processions’ routes, important public places such as mosques, government installations, buildings and offices across the city.
The sources from the intelligence agencies told Daily Times that over 50 most sensitive points have been pinpointed and categorised due to security concern where Muharram processions and gatherings would take place.
The sources added that the agencies were trying to increase usage of non-conventional security methodologies, including the usage of sophisticated technology and thorough scanning of the routes and areas from where the processions would pass.
Imambargah Syed Wajid Ali Shah, Chowk Nawab Sahib, Koocha Qazi Khana, Imambargah Molvi Feroz Ali, Koocha Miskeenan, Mohalla Peer Gillanian, Imambargah Syed Rajab Ali Shah, Chau-Hatta Mufti Baqir, Chowk Kotwali, Kashmiri Bazaar, Sonehri Masjid, Dabbi Bazaar, Gumtti Bazaar (Rang Mahal Chowk), Syed Mittha Bazaar, Tehsil Bazaar, Bazaar Hakimaan, Ucchi Masjid, Bhaati Chowk, Karbala Gamay Shah, Islampura, Jain Mandir, Old Anarkali, Ghaziabad, Nicholson Road and Imamia Colony include the most vulnerable places in terms of security threats identified by the agencies this year.
The agencies would also use modern scanners and sniffer dogs in order to ensure foolproof security.
The agencies will block all the entry points on the routes and only those who join the procession right from the beginning under the observation of police and the event organisers will be allowed to participate in the religious rituals. No bystanders either on the streets or on the roofs of the buildings will be allowed to stand while snipers will take positions on different buildings in order to counter any terrorist activity.
The security agencies have also taken a list of the volunteers from the procession organisers far ahead and they will not only scan the profiles of all these people but also organise a special training workshop for the volunteers to actively ensure security and support the participants and the law enforcers in their endeavors.
While talking to the Daily Times, Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Ahmad Raza Tahir said that the Lahore Police had been told to take extraordinary security steps on the occasion of Muharram.
The CCPO said that there would remain special focus on the security of shrines and imambargahs, whereas regular meetings will be held with the management of mosques, imambargahs and members of mohalla committees.
DIG (Operations) Ghulam Mehmood Dogar on Friday visited the route of the main procession. The superintendent of police (city), the superintendent of police (security) and superintendent of police (Civil Lines) also accompanied him on the occasion. The DIG asked the police officials to get clearance certificates from the building owners that they would not accommodate unidentified people on Muharram 9 and 10.
He also asked SP security to depute five snipers on the roof of Nisar Haveli on Muharram 9 and 10. The DIG also directed him to install 70 closed-circuit cameras on the route and ensure the complete video coverage of the procession.
(Daily Times)
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