KARACHI, Nov 6: The city police will use a helicopter equipped with modern communication devices to keep an eye on those indulging in violence on Friday (Nov 9) for which the religious parties have given a call for strike.

The police cameras would record the scenes of violence, if any, and immediate instructions would be issued from the police control for tackling with those creating a law and order situation.

The police have hired private video-makers for filming the possible scenes of violence, and “this step will be taken for the first time as part of strict security measures being adopted to maintain law and order in the metropolis,” said a senior police official.

Besides, a heavy deployment of law-enforcement agencies would be made in all parts of the city, especially at sensitive areas.

Referring to the Bahawalpur carnage, he said security at churches had been beefed up and bunkers had been set up at the entrances of the churches where policemen have been deputed to provide them security.

City police chief Tariq Jamil said two water cannons had also been acquired by the police which would be used to disperse the mob.

Sources said a chemical would be used in water which would cause itching in the body but would not be harmful for health.

DIG Karachi spoke in the affirmative when asked about a possible use of the chemical but declined to disclose what sort of chemical it would be.

An official said all the available police strength had been called on emergency duty to meet an eventuality. “We are on high alert and will take every possible step to suppress any possible attempt of violence,” the official said.

Although police had not been called from the interior of the province, additional force from the Sindh Reserve Police had been provided to all the five districts. Besides, rangers would help maintain the law and order, he added.

He maintained that the special police pickets had been set up at various points in the city, especially in sensitive areas. The police stations had been directed to increase patrolling using armoured personnel carriers, vans and motorcycles in their respective areas and keep a constant vigil on suspicious elements.

He said SHOs and DSPs had been directed to remain on duty round-the-clock and not to leave their offices on Friday. He asserted that police force had also been deployed on the rooftops of several buildings in the city.