PESHAWAR: The Peshawar administration has planned strict security measures for the Aug 31 anti-polio campaign in the district due to terrorist threats to the life of vaccinators.

According to an official in the know, around 4,000 police personnel will be deployed at entry and exit points of 139 sensitive zones in all around 100 union councils on the day, while there will be a complete ban on motorcycle riding.

Also, thousands of health workers participating in the campaign will be provided with strict security.

Deployment of 4,000 cops in sensitive areas, ban on motorcycle riding planned

These decisions were made during a meeting here on Friday, where Peshawar deputy commissioner Zaheerul Islam was in the chair.

The deputy commissioner said personnel of the relevant police stations would act against lawbreakers under Section 188.

He said security had been tightened across the district due to terrorist threats to the teams of health workers tasked with administering anti-polio drops to the children.

A health department official said 0.5 million children would be reached for vaccination in Peshawar district’s main localities and catchments areas.

He said preparations had been made for the campaign and that duties had been assigned to supervisors in their respective zones.

The official said a concrete plan had been finalised to reach all the children under the age of five years in the district to vaccinate them against polio and secure their future.

He urged the people, parents to extend full cooperation to the anti-polio teams so that the drive could be made successful.

“It is an international issue and Pakistan has to eradicate polio at all costs to avoid traveling sanctions,” he said.

When contacted, Peshawar SSP (operations) Najeebur Rehman said the police had made a very effective security plan like those made for previous anti-polio campaigns and that efforts were made to ensure foolproof security of the people.

He said there would be ban on movement of motorbikes because most of the fatal incidents in the past took place due to the bikes.

The SSP said media persons should produce their identity cards to law-enforcement agencies so that they could perform professional duties easily.

He said the security of the people and volunteers was really challenging as thousands of teams would move in the district the whole day and that the police would remain on red alert for their security.

About the current law and order situation in the district, the SSP said crimes had been controlled in Peshawar to a great extent due to the busting of several gangs of criminals over some weeks.

“The main issue was regarding extortion but it is now under control. Efforts are made to overcome routine crimes, too,” he said.

Rehman said a number of organised criminal networks had been busted which used to send threats to, harassed people for extortions, and played a role in kidnappings in the city. He said the police played a pro-active role in arresting criminals and their patrons.

The SSP said the police had been closely monitoring the people coming in from tribal region to ensure peace in the district.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2014