Police to be on their toes for a safe Muharram

*Administration has finalised a foolproof plan to avoid any untoward incident

*Strict ban enforced on provocative speeches, material

*29 emergency ambulances, 11 fire vehicles, 4 rescue vehicles, water rescue teams and rescuers on different mobile posts have been deployed to provide emergency cover in provincial capital

Foolproof security arrangements have been finalised to cope with any untoward incident in the provincial capital during Muharram.

Lahore Capital City Police Officer Captain Muhammad Ameen Vance on Sunday said that a modern network of close circuit TV had been installed at all important routes of the Zuljinah besides entry to all processions and majalis will be through walk-through gates.

He said video would also be made during the main procession passing through different areas.

“A sufficient number of more than 10,000 of police reserves, platoons and mobile teams of police commandos of Elite Force equipped with modern weapons and wireless fitted jeeps have started conducting round-the-clock patrolling in all important areas of the city for maintaining law and order,” he added.

He said additional SPs and SDPOs had further been directed to personally visit the sensitive areas regularly in their respective jurisdiction and ensure harmony during the month.

Vance said the Punjab chief minister and inspector general have accorded highest priority to sectarian harmony in the province and had directed the district administration to resolve sectarian disputes amicably, if any. The control room at his office will work round-the-clock to monitor the overall law and order situation in city.

He said that armed contingents of Pakistan Army and Rangers would also assist the police for maintaining law and order.

STRICT ENFORCEMENT OF BAN ON PROVOCATIVE MATERIAL TO BE ENSURED:

Meanwhile, the government has decided to ensure strict implementation of ban on utilising provocative material and literature in the province.

Action would be taken without any discrimination against the elements involved in delivering provocative speeches or wall-chalking etc irrespective of their sectarian, political, ethnic or other affiliations, official sources said on Sunday.

They said that the security plan evolved for the protection of majalis and religious processions will be adhered to with its true spirit and all the departments concerned have been directed to remain on their toes in view of the Muharram and utilise all their energies for maintaining law and order.

A four-tier cordon will be established and special attention will be paid to the monitoring of sensitive places.

They said that additional police force is being deployed at mosques, imam barghas and other places of worship.

Law against display of firearms would be strictly enforced, adding that restriction regarding routes and timings of processions would be ensured.

All the institutions concerned would work in a coordinated manner and keep vigilant eye on the situation, they added.

7,000 RESCUERS TO BE ON DUTY DURING ASHURA:

Meanwhile, Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122) Director General Dr Rizwan Naseer has directed all the district emergency officers (DEOs) to fully prepare themselves for Muharram, in accordance with the directions issued by the Home department.

Presiding over a meeting at the Rescue 1122 Headquarters on Sunday, the DG also directed all the DEOs to ensure implementation of Code Red on Muharram9 and 10, and the leaves of the rescuers have also been cancelled all over the province. Director (Admin) Brigadier Dr Arshad Zia, DD (P and D) Faheem Qureshi, DD (HR) Dr Fooad Shahzad Mirza, DD (Finance) Naeem Mukhtar and all other provincial monitoring cell officers attended the meeting.

The districts have been issued a checklist and have been asked to submit emergency plans. The PMC briefed the DG that 7,000 emergency staff shall remain on duty during Ashura. The districts have prepared emergency contingency plans in close coordination with district administrations and Imamia

Scouts have been trained and close liaison has also been developed with focal persons of the majalis.

He said that the Disaster Response Force along with logistic assistance shall remain on standby position to provide backup support to any district in case of any untoward incident.

According to the Lahore Emergency Plan, 29 emergency ambulances; 11 fire vehicles, 04 rescue vehicles, water rescue teams and rescuers on different mobile posts have been deployed to provide emergency cover to all mourning processions. All mobile posts and ambulances with medical kits will be moving along with the processions to provide mourners with immediate medical treatment. Emergency officers, including trained doctors, shall supervise the arrangements on both days.

The DG further said that the DEO’s will be responsible to verify emergency arrangements prior to the start of the event.