LAHORE: Punjab Inspector General of Police Khan Baig on Sunday warned of increased security threat during Muharram this year than the last one, directing the senior police officers to remain vigilant.

“Since the security threat level is higher than the previous year, the districts of Lahore, Bhakkar, Khanewal and Chakwal have been listed as very sensitive. The rest of the districts have also been listed in the sensitive and low sensitive categories,” he said during a meeting with regional police officers (RPOs) here in his office.

The IGP said the Punjab Police had decided to enhance security by deploying around 140,000 policemen during Muharram across the province. They would include 78,937 policemen of Punjab police, 14,200 of Elite Force and Punjab Constabulary, 21,373 of reserved force, 15,969 of Qaumi Razakar and 9,498 of the special police, he added.

The meeting decided to ensure installation of CCTV cameras and walkthrough gates at the entry/exit points of the Muharram processions and action against misuse of loudspeakers. However, it was decided that mobile phone service would not be shut from Muharram 7 to 10.

Meanwhile, Lahore CCPO Chaudhry Shafiq Ahmad said that about 15,000 policemen would perform duty during Muharram to provide security to more than 5,600 mourning processions in the city.

Presiding over a meeting here on Sunday, he requested the Shia leaders and management committees to use one entry and exit point during Majalis.

The CCPO urged clerics to refrain from hate speeches. “A strict legal action will be taken against those found involved in violation of ban on loudspeaker.”

He also directed the SPs to maintain contacts with notables of the their area, clerics and the members of peace committees for maintaining law and order in Muharam.

The CCPO also sought data of volunteers, to be deputed by the Shia management committees in order to issue them necessary identity cards.