25,000 Police Officials To Perform Muharram Duty; Five Districts Declared Highly Sensitive

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 03rd Oct, 2016 ) : The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police have finalized foolproof security arrangements for peaceful observance of Muharram processions and Majalis started across the province on Monday.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police have deployed over 25,000 police officials to perform duty during the holy month to avert any untoward incident or nefarious design elements of anti state elements.

According to sources, Peshawar, Kohat, Hangu, DI Khan and Manshera have been declared highly sensitive districts. Districts declared sensitive are Haripur, Bannu and Tank, while Nowshera, Mardan, Lakki Marwat, Abbottabad districts were declared normal’.

Along heavy police contingents, the security personnel of Pakistan Army would also be deployed on routes of the 9th and 10th Muharram's mourning processions and the Frontier Constabulary and administration of each district would jointly perform the security duty while co-operation of all sectarian groups had also been sought by police and administration at district level in order to ensure sectarian harmony and avoid any provocative act by any quarters.

The police commandos will also provide security to 193 Imambargahs across the province while the the armed forces could be called in case of emergency. The district administrations have already imposed section 144 in all districts where Muharram processions would be carried out and Majalis to be held.

Besides heavy Army deployment, 63 additional platoons of the Frontier Constabulary had also been made available to contribute for the protection of Muharram activities. It was informed by the sources that a total of 429 mourning processions to be brought out across KP while over 2,500 congregations (Majlis) will be held at 245 Imam Bargahs throughout the province during the current Muharram.

More than 122 processions would be taken out from 65 Imam Bargah in Peshawar, 138 processions from 64 Imam Bargah of Dera Ismail Khan, according to data made available by police department.

As per security plan, more than 10,000 personnel of district police, Frontier Reserve Police, Elite Force, Frontier Constabulary, Special police force and ex-servicemen would be deployed in Peshawar, while around 2,000 personnel in Hangu, over 4,000 in Dera Ismail Khan, about 3,789 in Bannu and 2,165 in Kohat.

The police and district administrations have chalked out comprehensive security plan in consultation with business community and sectarian groups for maintaining law and order situation during Muharram.

The business activities will remain close from 7th Muharram in the Peshawar city. The traders have assured the police to extend full co-operation for maintaining peace during Ashura. Under the plan zero tolerance for provocative speeches, wall chalking, innovations in the processions and Majalis, pillion riding, carrying and display of arms will be observed.

The security zones around Imambargahs would be established, checking and search thereof, extensive patrolling of camera mounted surveillance vehicles, route checking and IT based strict monitoring of and around Muharram programs are also included in the security plan.

The entry of Afghans would strictly be banned in the city areas while district administration are installing straight lights on routes of procession besides removing encroachments. The IGP KP police Nasir Khan Durrani has strictly orderd police personnel to wear bullet proof vests, helmets and necessary security kit during the duty, and asked the police officials to perform duty as a frontline force.

He directed the DIGs, DPOs to take effective measures for ensuring sectarian harmony during Muharram and review the security arrangements themselves by visiting the spot in uniform and organise snap checking across the districts with special emphasis on motorcycles having fake or no number plates.