The capital administration and police are in the process of preparing a security plan for Muharram, especially Ashura, keeping in view the sectarian situation in the country.

For the last two years, sectarian killings have increased in the country, including Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Rawalpindi witnessed sectarian clashes on Ashura last year in which nine people were killed and scores injured. Even after the violence, the garrison city has seen sporadic sectarian killings.

Under such circumstances, the local administration wants foolproof security to maintain peace during Muharram. But officials in the police and the ICT administration said there was an acute shortage of police personnel.

They said the strength of the capital police was 9,557 and 6,063 were deployed at D-Chowk and Constitution Avenue since the start of the sit-ins. The remaining 2,604 were performing other security duties.

Apart from the capital police, 11,827 personnel from Punjab, 942 from the railways and 1,015 from Azad Kashmir along with 300 Frontier Constabulary and 225 Rangers personnel are deployed at D-Chowk and Constitution Avenue.

Due to these engagements, it is difficult for the capital police to make security arrangements for Muharram, especially on Ashura. The officials said all departments concerned had started holding meetings to devise a strategy to maintain peace during the month. It may be noted that there are some religious groups which are banned but are still operating.

The officials said a decision had been taken to collect details about the proscribed groups and leaders from Punjab and Islamabad. The capital police are also approaching their counterparts in all districts of Punjab to obtain details about religious leaders whose names are in the Schedule 4 of the Anti-Terrorism Act. The list under Schedule 4 carries the names of people who are considered a threat to peace. Anyone included in the list cannot move out of their respective areas without informing the police concerned.

The Special Branch of the capital police has been directed to collect details about such religious figures and submit a report to the Central Police Office. The officials said in Islamabad there were 23 people in the list who were not following the law. Now the in-charges of the police stations have been asked to mount surveillance on the movement and activities of these religious leaders.

A list of all those who are not in Schedule 4 but are considered a threat to members of their rival sects is also being prepared. So far, 33 leaders of different religious groups have been identified for inclusion in the list.

The officials said there were 63 worship places in the capital – 48 belonging to Sunnis and 15 to the Shia community. It may be noted that after the start of the war on terrorism about 14 years ago, the capital police neglected the sectarian issue. During Muharram each year, the police used to enhance security around a few worship places in the city to avoid any untoward incident. However, the sectarian violence in Rawalpindi on Ashura last year was a wake-up call to the capital police.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2014