10 February 2005	Thursday	30 Zilhaj 1425

RAWALPINDI, Feb 9: Around 2000 troops have been called to assist the law-enforcement agencies during Muharram to maintain peace in Rawalpindi, official sources said.

Besides, the Punjab Constabulary reserves and the Punjab police from other districts have also been called to strengthen the security arrangements adopted by the district administration.

A security official said the troops would be deployed on Friday and they would start patrolling in different parts of the city from the same day while the security personnel would be deployed at imambargahs and mosques during prayer times.

As part of a contingency plan, the police have decided to launch a crackdown on proclaimed offenders and sectarian elements, he said, adding the random checking of hotels, guest houses and inter-city bus stops had been started.

According to an official data, Majalis would be held at 150 places daily while dozens of processions would be brought out daily from different locations.

Meanwhile, the district government on Wednesday put on high alert the police and administration to maintain law and order in the city during the Muharram.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by the district Nazim at the DCO office on Wednesday.

The meeting outlined a number of security and administrative measures and warned that this year security measures would be unprecedented in view of the sectarian strife in the country.

Peace would be maintained in the district at all costs, a handout issued after the meeting said.

The meeting said in case of any provocative action from a building, the owner would be held responsible.

According to the security plan, leave applications of all policemen serving in the district have been cancelled.

The pillion-riding and witnessing of processions from rooftops have been banned. Use of fireworks, crackers and display of weapons has also been prohibited.

No vehicle or pushcart would be allowed within 100 yards of imambargahs or processions. Similarly, no vehicle would be permitted to enter the route of procession.

A traffic plan is being chalked out to keep traffic away from processions. Section 144 has been imposed prohibiting the use of loudspeakers for speeches except for sermons in Arabic and call for prayer.

All the three teaching hospitals of the city have been asked to ensure the doctors' presence and keep beds reserved for any emergency.