By Uzma Zafar
ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Police have finalized comprehensive security arrangements for the processions, religious gatherings during Muharram-ul-Haram.
Following the special directions of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad, Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, the DIG Islamabad Syed Ali Raza has finalized a comprehensive security plan for Muharram-ul-Haram.
The formal approval of this plan was given by IGP Islamabad, Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, after its thorough review, all wings of Islamabad Police have also been given directions to ensure complete coordination for success of this plan.
DIG Islamabad directed all concerned officials to maintain close liaison with peace committees and organizers of Majalis and processions. He said that cooperation of organizers should be ensured with the police and law enforcing officials.
A total of 181 religious gatherings (Majalis) and 965 processions will be held in the federal capital and more than 16,000 officials of Islamabad Police, Pakistan Rangers, Lady police, traffic police, and special branch officials will perform security duty. The DIG Islamabad Syed Ali Raza directed for strict security arrangements on these occasions and special checking of participants.
He said that special arrangements should be made for checking of participants in a professional way and to install walk-through gates at the entrance points of Majalis.
He said that it should be ensured to make arrangements for checking of participants of Majalis and processions thoroughly using metal detectors. Strict vigilance should be maintained to ensure that security measures are in place by the police as well as peace committees, the DIG Islamabad maintained.
Rangers also assist Islamabad Police to ensure elaborate security arrangements. The DIG also ordered all Zonal DPOs, SDPOs, and SHOs to make proper light arrangements after negotiations with concerned authorities and also to weed out bushes in the various areas in the vicinity of worship places.
He said that it should be ensured that processions will pass through the fixed routes and timings of processions to be observed strictly. He also directed for effective patrolling and use of commando vehicles for the purpose.
DIG directed for maintaining close coordination among all wings of Islamabad Police and lower subordinates. Traffic staff to ensure arrangements for avoiding any inconvenience to road users and special deployment should be made for smooth flow of traffic at alternate routes when processions will be carried out.
It should be ensured that Parking lots to be far away from the processions with proper security arrangements there and metal detectors would be used at entry and exit points too.
He said that walk-through gates must be installed at all entry and exit points of Majalis and processions and it should be covered through a large strength of policemen. He also asked all DPOs, SDPOs to take steps to curb wall chalking or pasting posters.
Patrolling officers must conduct visits to all the routes of Muharram-ul-Haram processions and Imam-bargahs and rooftops to be covered by the police officials. The DIG said that lady Police should be deputed for the female gatherings while police officers and Jawans would perform security duties outside the Imam-bargahs.
All SHOs were directed to get the complete bio data of those volunteers performing security duties. Peace committees would be asked to ensure that no stranger will be allowed to stay in the worship places for security reasons during the month of Muharram-ul-Haram.
It was also decided, along with the deployment of special commandos, police and rangers at sensitive Imam-bargahs, they will be kept fully alert to avoid any untoward incident, the procession will be fully covered with ropes.
DIG Islamabad Syed Ali Raza further said that, Islamabad Police will perform its professional duties with full responsibility and passion during the Muharram-ul-Haram as well as protecting the life and property of the citizens.
