- 34 senior police officers appointed to monitor security of schools, colleges
All private and public educational institutions in Islamabad Capital Territory will resume their educational activities from January 12, 2015 (Monday) after winter vacations.
The winter vacations which were earlier announced by Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) from Dec 22-31, 2014, had been extended due to security concerns after the Peshawar incident.
The vacations in ICT institutions were extended till January 11, 2015, like other provinces, and now all institutions would reopen from Monday with proper security measures.
COPS ON DUTY:
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sultan Azam Tamuri on Sunday said that 34 officers at deputy superintendent (DSP) and inspector level have been appointed for the security of schools and colleges in the capital.
He said this during a briefing session for the security and vigilance committees. Inspector General of Islamabad Police Tahir Alam Khan chaired a meeting held to brief the security and vigilance committees comprising of residents from the capital.
He said these officers would also visit schools and colleges on a daily basis to give lectures on security to students and teachers.
These committees have been constituted under the direction of the interior minister to ensure foolproof security in Islamabad.
Officers from intelligence agencies gave a detailed briefing to members of the security and vigilance committees.
IG operations Islamabad Sultan Azam Tamuri, SSP Islamabad Mir Wais Niaz, members of security agencies, and media representatives also participated in the training and briefing session.
Speaking on the occasion, IGP Islamabad Tahir Alam Khan said that the federal government had decided to setup security and vigilance committees to cope with terrorism and other crimes. He said that so far the names of 1600 residents had been finalised, out of 2700 applicants, for the task. He added that police cards would be issued to these selected persons after complete verifications. He said that 99 Assistant Sub Inspectors were also appointed for the purpose of liaison with these committees.
The information gathered by these committees would be passed on through the ASIs, and other top police officials, via SMS and mobile communication. He expressed satisfaction over the enthusiastic response and interest shown by citizens, particularly the youth that desired to become members of these committees. He said that security could only be improved through the active participation of people from all walks of life.
SECURITY EQUIPMENT TO COST A PRETTY PENNY:
In the meanwhile, stockists dealing with security equipment have started indulging in black marketing and overcharging after the provincial government ordered educational institutions, owners of plazas and markets, to ensure fool proof security of their establishments.
According to reports gathered from different markets, profiteers have started creating artificial shortages of security cameras, metal detectors, DVRs and CCTV cameras. On the other hand some shopkeepers are selling these equipments at the asking rates.
Barbed wire is being sold at Rs. 300 per/kg instead of the previous rate of Rs. 120 per/kg, metal detector is being sold between Rs. 1000 to Rs. 3500, DVR with four channels is being sold at Rs. 3500 to Rs. 6000, and prices for CCTV cameras have shot up from Rs. 800 to Rs. 4000.
Owners of private educational institutions say they are purchasing the security equipment at the asking rate in order to avoid action by the provincial government. They, however, asked the government to take notice of the highhandedness of the profiteers and institute raiding parties to ensure reasonable prices of the security equipment.
