LAHORE, Feb 29: Punjab IGP Syed Masud Shah said on Sunday that army was on call to maintain law and order during Ashura. He said that armymen held flag marches all over the province
to convey a message to the anti-social elements that the force was on full alert to combat any untoward situation.
Speaking at a press conference, the IGP said that armymen would be available in reserves to meet any eventuality. However, he would not make it clear whether the troops had been formally deployed. "The army is on call. As far as its deployment is concerned we can say both yes and no."
Explaining the situation, Mr Shah said that more than two army units with 10 companies were on duty in Lahore. Of them, he added, six companies had been stationed at camps in the cantonment and would be readily available in case of an emergency. The rest would be in reserve.
The provincial police chief said at least six districts had been declared sensitive areas with reference to Ashura. They included Lahore, Rawalpindi, Jhang, DG Khan, Multan and Bhakkar. All these places had been provided with more troops and more men from other forces including Elite Force commandos, he said.
"I am constantly in touch with police heads of all the districts in Punjab and especially the six termed sensitive. All these police heads have been directed to keep in touch whatsoever the situation."
Of the six districts, the police chief said he had himself visited some and was not able to find anything unsatisfactory. "Yesterday I was in Jhang and visited a main procession, which culminated peacefully ahead of schedule. This indicates that as far as the general public is concerned it want peace."
With reference to the alleged suicide attack in Rawalpindi, he claimed that it had nothing to do with sectarianism. People from both sects respect each other and there is no chance of their involvement in such an act of sabotage, he said.
"It was pure terrorism. The suicide bomber who blew himself up was certainly a terrorist." The IGP said the dead suicide bomber had not so far been identified.
He added that a reward of Rs500,000 had been announced for any information that could help identify the accused or provide any other clue related to the tragic incident. He said it was not yet clear which organization the bomber belonged to. "The matter is under investigation."
The police chief would not agree with the view that the attack was a security lapse on part of the law-enforcement agencies. He said there was an agreement between the organizers of Majalis and processions and police that the organizers would body-search the participants at entry points. He claimed that all the police officials deployed at the place were very much at their job. However, he said, after the incident the agreement had been reviewed with a decision that both the organizers and the police would do the job of body search.
Meanwhile, the IGP said, security had been stepped up in the province and peace committees and public representatives engaged for coordination to maintain law and order.
Later, the IGP together with city police chief DIG Tariq Saleem and Lahore police operations chief Aftab Cheema visited the main Zuljinah procession route and reviewed the security arrangements.
