KP govt chalks out security planfor Muharram

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Thursday declared eight districts of the province most sensitive and six sensitive in terms of law and order for Muharram and decided to suspend mobile phone services there on the fixed days.

This was revealed during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur to review the arrangements for Muharramul Haram, said an official handout.

Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, Additional Chief Secretary for Home Muhammad Abid Majeed, Inspector General of Police Akhtar Hayat Khan Gandapur, administrative secretaries and others attended the meeting.

Divisional commissioners, regional police officers, deputy commissioners and district police officers attended the meeting via video link.

The participants took a detailed review of the security plan and other steps to maintain law and order during Muharram.

It was informed that Muharram processions would be taken out and gatherings arranged in 14 districts of the province. Out of these, eight districts were declared the most sensitive and six as sensitive

The participants were told that 40,000 security personnel would be deployed during Muharram. Special contingents of FC and Pak Army would be deployed as well for the security of Muharram processions and gatherings.

An integrated strategy was devised to effectively monitor the processions and gatherings.

It was added that a central control room comprising representatives from all relevant departments and law enforcement agencies is also being set up at the Home Department for the purpose.

The participants were told that special arrangements have been made for the security of sensitive districts and spots across the province.

It was added that processions and public gatherings would be monitored directly through CCTV cameras whereas display of arms, pillion riding and hateful wall chalking had been banned.

The participants were informed that special initiatives had been proposed to monitor social media pages to control spread of hateful contents and propaganda during Muharram.

Apart from this, staff of health and rescue departments would be assigned with special duties to deal with any untoward situation during the month.

The chief minister said special attention must be given to the sensitive districts across the province to avoid an untoward situation.

He directed that religious leaders of different schools of thought and elected public representatives should be approached to promote religious harmony and tolerance.

The chief minister called for installing tents at suitable places in 0the routes of the Muharram processions, asking Pesco and Tesco to ensure an uninterrupted supply of electricity to the routes and places of processions and Majalis gatherings.

“Maintaining law and order during the month of Muharram should be the top priority of all the stakeholders,” he said and added that all relevant officials, departments and agencies would have to fulfill their respective responsibilities well in time for this purpose.