2000 Police personnel to guard Chehlum procession

By Uzma Zafar

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Police have finalized the security arrangements for procession in connection with Chehlum of Imam Hussain (RA).
The procession would be taken out with religious fervour and devotion. A Police Public Relation Officer said that as many as 2000 policemen would be deployed on the occasion. Under the security arrangements, no one would be allowed to stand on rooftops of commercial and residential buildings situated along the procession route.
Following the directions of IGP Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan and DIG Sohail Zafar Chatha, all zonal SPs, SDPOs, SHOs and other police officials will visit the routes of procession and ensure effective coordination among the security personnel performing duty. Police officials will guide the cops and boost their morale in accomplishing duties in a responsible manner.
Special checking of the routes would be carried out before start of the procession, whereas the mourners would be checked with metal detectors and walk-through gates installed at the entry points.
A meeting presided over by the Senior-Superintendent of Police (Operations) Malik Jameel Zafar was held to review the security arrangements which was participated by all zonal SPs, SDPOs, SHOs and other officials. Speaking on the occasion, SSP Operations said that, heavy contingents of Islamabad police and Rangers besides personnel of other law enforcement agencies will perform patrolling and security duties on this occasion. The main procession would be taken out from Imambargah Asna-e-Ashri sector G-6/2 and will be completely cordoned off through heavy deployment.
He said that, police officers including SPs will also visit various police posts, lying in the route of procession, check security duties and brief cops as how to ensure effective security. The streets and redundant tracks will be closed through barbed wires while proper lighting arrangements would be made along the route of the procession.
SSP said that, the procession will be monitored through safe city cameras, smart cars, surveillance and drone cameras and DIG Safe City would supervise all this process. Policemen would be deployed at rooftops of buildings while snipers would also take positions at various buildings. The staff of bomb disposal squad would also conduct complete search of the procession’s route through robots and other modern technology.
Special arrangements will be made by Special Branch for checking of participants and walk-through gates will be installed at all the entry points of Majalis.
Metal detectors will be used for checking of participants of Majalis, processions and high vigilance will be maintained by the police officials which will help in peaceful holding of all events.
SSP Operations has directed all officers that this procession is very important and sensitive and each officer would take its responsibility for foolproof security.