LAHORE: All available resources should be utilised to ensure foolproof security for Youm-i-Ali processions in the city, Capital City Police Officer Amin Wains said on Thursday.
He was presiding over a meeting held here to review the security of the Youm-i-Ali central route at his office. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operation Dr Haider Ashraf, Investigation DIG Sultan Chaudhry, security DIG Muhammad Idress, SSP Operation Muntazir Mehdi, SSP Investigation Hasan Mushtaq Sukhera, Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Tayyab Hafeez Cheema and all divisional SPs were present.
The CCPO said more than 5,000 policemen would be deployed in different areas of the city to ensure security of the Youm-i-Ali processions. Search operation, especially in city division, should be conducted to check Afghan nationals, hotels, bus stands and railway station.
The meeting also discussed parking arrangements for the participants in the processions. It was told that arrangements were made in Nasser Bagh for parking vehicles.
The CCPO ordered screening of the central procession route by deploying officials of special branch and bomb disposal squad, besides sniffer dogs to ensure the security. He also ordered checking of electricity transformers and manholes for the processions’ security.
He directed Mujahid Squad SP Karar Husain to ensure checking of vehicles at all entry and exit points of the city to avoid any untoward incident.
Anti Vehicle Squad (AVLS), local police and Excise department officials should jointly establish checkpoints, he said, adding that policemen should wear helmets and bulletproof jackets during the checking.
Mr Wains said maximum CCTV cameras should be installed on the central procession route for monitoring of security situation. It would also enable the officers to keep a vigilant eye on any suspicious activity, he said.
He said policemen should check all the shops and plazas on central procession route and clearance certificates should be issued to the traders in this regard. Action should be taken against those failing to follow security guidelines, he added.
DIG Dr Haider Ashraf directed all divisional SPs to carry out search operations in their respective areas. Medical camps should be established with the help of Rescue 1122 and BDS officials should remain alert, he added.
He said no policemen should leave his or her duty point till the conclusion of all processions.
(Daily Dawn)
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