KHAR: The political administration on Sunday finalised security arrangements for Eid, strictly banning firing in the air on chand raat, and extending a ban on pillion riding.

The decisions were made at a meeting chaired by political agent Syed Abdul Jabar Shah. Senior officials of local administration, Levies Force, tribal elders and leaders of various peace committees, Khar assistant political agent Sohil Ahmed Khan, APA Nawagai Shah Naseem Khan and respective tehsildars were in attendance.

The participants complained about harsh behavior of Levies officials deployed at Khar and other trade areas.

Speaking on the occasion, political agent Jabar Shah said that the administration was taking all possible steps to ensure peace in the agency on Eid.

Mr Shah directed the officials to coordinate with tribal elders, religious and political leaders and members of peace committees to ensure peaceful passage of the religious occasion.

The meeting decided that one security official, two Levies personnel and at least three village defence committee volunteers would be deployed outside mosques and Eidgahs across the agency for checking people before allowing them in.

The meeting also urged the tribal elders to make security arrangements in their respective areas to ensure peace during Eid.

The political agent said that those found violating the ban on firing in the air on chand raat would face strict action. “Relevant officials should immediately inform the tribesmen across the agency about the ban on firing in the air,” he added.

The meeting also decided to continue ban on pillion ridding due to poor law and order situation in the agency.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2014