Over 12,000 personnel to perform duties during Muharram

Islamabad : The Islamabad Police on Sunday conducted flag march with an objective to maintain peace and tranquillity in the city during Muharram ul Haram.

On the orders of Inspector General of Police Islamabad Muhammad Aamir Zulfiqar Khan, DIG (Operations) Waqaruddin Syed has prepared a special plan of flag march for 1st, 4th and 6th Muharram Ul Haram.

Sunday’s flag march was conducted under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Muhammad Hamza Shafqat, SP (City) Muhammad Aamir Niazi, SP (Industrial Area) Sayed Aziz and was participated by all SDPOs and SHOs of Industrial Zone and Rural Zone, Islamabad Traffic Police, Police Commandos, Rescue 15 police and police patrolling officials.

Flag march started from Pakistan Sports Complex and culminated at the same point after passing through Dhokri Chowk, Rawal Dam Chowk, Shehzad town, Tramri Chow Lehtrar road, Khana Bridge, Koral Chowk, PWD Housing Society, Kak Bridge to Kahuta Road, Imam Bargah Haideri in Sihala, Imam Bargah Niazian, Epxressway, Sain Boota shrine, Faizabad, I-8 Markaz, Imambargah Jafferia I-10 Markaz, Imam Bargah Moosa Kazim, Imambargah Baltastania Police Line Headquarters, Kashmir Highway, Jhugi Syedan, Imam Bargah Qadeemi to Imam Bargah Bait ul Hussain and Aabpara Chowk.

DIG (Operations) Islamabad Waqaruddin Syed has said that Islamabad police have ensured comprehensive security arrangements for Muharram-ul-Haram. He said that police would accomplish responsibility in an efficient manner to ensure protection to lives and property of citizens

DIG (Operations) further said that purpose of this flag march was to show preparations of police and other law enforcement agencies during the Muhram ul Haram to counter any challenge and maintain peace in the city. He also directed all the SDPOs and the SHOs to make effective security arrangements in this regard in their respective areas. He said that Islamabad Police would maintain a close liaison with peace committees and organizers of Muharram Majalis and processions. He also directed for combing and search operation in Aghan and other slum areas and to maintain high vigilance at entry and exit points of the city.

In high level meeting, it was decided that over 12,000 personnel of Islamabad Police would perform security duties during Muharram-ul-Haram and to maintain high vigilance to thwart any untoward incident.

Islamabad Police have finalized comprehensive security arrangements for the processions, religious gatherings during Muharram-ul-Harram and decided to launch combing as well as search operations in various slum areas of the city including Afghan habitats to ensure fool proof security.

This plan has been prepared by DIG (Operations) Waqar Uddin Syed following directions of IGP Islamabad Muhammad Aamir Zulfiqar. All wings of Islamabad police have been also given directions to ensure complete coordination for success of this plan.

The DIG (Operations) has directed all SDPOs and SHOs to launch effective search operation as well as combing activities in the slum areas of the city including Afghan habitats and enhance vigilance at all entrance points of the city. All SPs have been asked to monitor this search operation themselves and inform DIG's office on daily basis about progress in this regard.

He also directed to maintain close liaison with peace committees and 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 909 religious gatherings (Majalis) and 177 processions will be held. The DIG (Operations) Waqar Uddin Syed ha directed for strict security arrangements on these occasions and special checking of participants.

He said that it should be ensured to make arrangements for checking of participants of Majalis and processions thorough 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 (Operations) maintained.

He also ordered all 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.

The personnel of Rangers and police Commandoes along with vehicles would perform the security of Imambargahs. He said that it should be ensured that processions will pass through the fixed routes and timings of processions to be observed strictly. He has also directed for effective patrolling and use commando vehicles for the purpose.

Meanwhile, the IGP also directed for maintaining close coordination among all wings of Islamabad police and staff. The IGP asked SSP (Traffic) 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.

The DIG (Operations) Waqar Uddin Syed has said that walk through gates must be installed at all entry and exit points of Majalis and processions and it should be covered through large strength of policemen.He also asked all SPs, SDPOs to take steps to curb wall chalking or pasting posters which may hurt sentiments of people.

Patrolling officers must conduct visit of all the routes of Muharram processions and Imambargahs and rooftops to be covered by the police officials. The DIG (Operations) said that lady Police should be deputed for the female gatherings while police officers and Jawans would perform security duties outside the Imambargahs.

All Station House Officers (SHOs) should get the complete bio data of those volunteers performing security duties. Peace committees would be asked to ensure that no stranger is allowed to stay in the worship places for security reasons during the month of Muharram.

It will be also mandatory for the participants and organizers of the processions to get clearance certificates from the concerned police station before its start as a part of effective security measure.

He said that entry of those scholars or persons banned in Islamabad by district administration would not be allowed and strict monitoring to be ensured in this regard.

Pillion riding has been also banned in Capital while brigade vehicles and ambulances will remain present in various areas. The vehicles of Rangers, CTF and police commandoes would also remain present around Imambargahs and Islamabad police would accomplish his responsibilities with dedication during Muharram-ul-Haram, Waqaruddin Syed concluded.