Sindh government has declared 1,229 religious gatherings and 572 processions as most sensitive across the province, hence ordering a three layer security cordons for all such events scheduled for Muharram.
This was stated by IG Sindh police while briefing a high level meeting held under the chairmanship of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah at the CM House on Thursday.
Ghulam Hyder Jamali briefed the chief minister that there are 1,521 Imambargahs all over Sindh from where 11,272 majalis, 4,335 matmi processions and 1,295 tazia processions are taken out.
“Out of them 384 matmi processions and 188 tazia processions have been declared as most sensitive,” he disclosed. Replying to a question of chief minister, the IG said “around 64,414 police personnel would be deployed to provide security to all the Imambargahs and processions”.
District SSPs under the guidance of their concerned DIGs would issue their contingency plan, he added.
The meeting was informed that there were some terrorist threats from the nexus between sectarian terrorists and anti-state elements. “Some high profile terrorists have been eliminated, therefore, they retaliate. Apart from it, the agencies have to keep an eagle eye on the RAW.”
The chief minister asked the IG that what guideline he has issued to the field units.
On this Jamali explained, “We have also started extensive search and sweep operations in coordination with Rangers and intelligence agencies. The survey of routes and venues of processions was in progress,” he said.
The chief minister directed the IG to demonstrate zero tolerance on misuse of loudspeakers, wall chalking and spread of hate literature. “You have to establish command and control centres for processions and majalis.”
On this the IG said that it was being established. Ghulam Hyder Jamali said that a joint flag march with Rangers will be conducted and the ban on carrying and displaying of arms will be strictly enforced.
On this the chief minister directed the IG to conduct physical and technical search of all procession routes, majalis and allow entry into procession only through designated points. Replying to chief minister’s question the IG said that on Moharram 8 surveillance would be made through 234 cameras installed at 66 different locations, while Moharram 9, 10 the camera coverage would be through 246 cameras installed at 69 different locations.
Jamali said that there would be 30 mobile vehicles fitted with cameras for mobile surveillance during the days of processions and at Imambargahs. On this Qaim Ali Shah directed the chief secretary to provide police with 200 portable cameras with portable control room of IT department.
The chief minister also directed the IG to continue vigilance till chehlum and develop close liaison with Ulema and religious leaders.
