June 04, 2008	Wednesday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 29, 1429

PESHAWAR, June 3: Following threats to cinema house owners of the city, police tightened security around the picture houses here on Tuesday.

Capital City Police Officer Attaullah Wazir told journalists at Police Lines that the leader of a Bara-based religious outfit on his illegal FM radio had threatened the operators to shut the cinema houses, or face consequences.

He said the number of police personnel around the cinemas had been increased with strict directives to check the movement of suspected people. He said the operators had also been asked not to let anyone enter the cinema houses without body search and full satisfaction about them.

He said a meeting had been planned to review the law and order situation and further steps would also be taken if needed. “People are already avoiding visiting the cinema houses and in case of such threats the houses would be closed for ever,” commented another official. It may be mentioned that two bomb explosions occurred in the Regal Cinema in Bannu a few days ago, causing concern among cinema owners.— Bureau Report