RAWALPINDI: As many as 4,200 policemen would ensure security for Majalis and Muharram processions in Rawalpindi, said Rawalpindi City Police Officer (CPO) Bilal Siddique Kamyana.
He said the security arrangements had been finalised for Majalis and Muharram processions in the city.
The CPO said under the security plan formulated for Muharram, leaves of all police personnel had been cancelled between the first and 10th Muharram.
The security plan for Muharram had been finalised in a special meeting held here on Wednesday.
It was decided in the meeting that all departments concerned would make concerted efforts for the safety of the mourners. The Majalis and Muharram processions of Rawalpindi have been divided into three categories.
The entry of 157 ulema into the Rawalpindi district has been banned while 92 religious scholars of different sects were taken onboard to promote harmony.
The CPO said an additional force of Special Branch, Elite Force, Punjab Constabulary, Lady Police and Rangers along with district police would be deployed to ensure security during Muharram.
He said strict checking of vehicles was being made at the entry points of the city.
There would be strict monitoring of all processions while Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras had been installed to ensure the security, he added.
He said no vehicle would be allowed to park within 200 yards of Imambarghs.
Kamyana said no one would be allowed to stand on rooftops of commercial and residential buildings situated along the routes of the main mourning procession, while armed police personnel would be deployed on the rooftops of the buildings. Police patrolling had been enhanced during Muharram, he added.
He said the members of the Peace Committees along with female volunteers of the Civil Defence and policewomen would be deployed with the processions and Majalis.
He said special checking of the mourning procession routes would be completed before the start of the processions and the Bomb Disposal Squad would clear the route. The mourners would be checked with metal detectors and walkthrough gates would be installed at the entry points, he added.
The CPO said the route of the main procession of Muharram would be sealed completely and streets on the route would be barricaded. Vehicles and motorcycles would not be allowed to move with the mourning processions, he added.
He said a quick response force (QRF) would be deployed for the protection of Majalis and processions during Muharram, he added. app
(Daily Times)
********