PESHAWAR/DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The law enforcement agencies have taken stringent security measures to avoid any untoward incident on 9th and 10th Muharram.

The entry points of Saddar Bazaar in Peshawar have been sealed and heavy contingents of law enforcers have been deployed to keep watch on the movement of people.

The main of procession of 9th Muharram will be taken out from Imambargah Hussainia Hall, located in Saddar Bazaar.

Saddar Bazaar will remain closed on Monday. The residents of the area have been advised to avoid movement and keep their security cards with them in case of emergency.

An official said that close circuit television cameras were installed at prominent places that were thoroughly monitored by the law enforcers to take prompt steps in case of possibility of any untoward incident.

Peshawar SSP (operations) Najeebur Rehman told Dawn that partial suspension of the cellular phone service was recommended in the provincial metropolis. He said that police would take steps on the basis of need.

“We have backup of Frontier Constabulary for Muharram. Situation is under full control,” the SSP said and added that policemen were fully vigilant and both pedestrians and motorists were thoroughly checked at the entry points.

The procession of 8th Muharram was taken out on Monday from Imambargah Najaf Ali Shah at Kochi Bazaar. The procession passed through Chowk Shahbaz, Mohammad Ali Jauhar Road, Mohallah Khudadad, Qissa Khwani Bazaar, Kocha Risaldar, Jahangir Pura, Gul Badshah G Chowk, Kohati Gate, Akhunabad and Church Road.

The members of Mukhtar Force, Imamia Scouts, Wahdat Scouts and Hussaini Scouts helped police in checking the participants of the procession.

The children also took out processions from Imambargah Uza Khana Karavi, Imambargah Takya Khan Mohammad Khan and Imambargah Darbar Imam Hussain Marveeha.

In Dera Ismail Khan, police have chalked out a security plan to ensure peace and religious harmony in Muharam, particularly during Ashura.

Talking to Dawn on Sunday, DIG Abdul Ghafoor Afridi said the district was included in the list of the most sensitive areas during Muharram but police were fully alert to thwart any untoward incident. He said that leaders of both Sunni and Shia sects were taken into confidence regarding the security plan.

The DIG said that no change was made in the routes of processions. The mourners would pass through traditional routes, he said, adding that the processions would be monitored through cameras. He said that police foiled a major terrorism bid at the start of Muharram by seizing huge cache of arms and explosives.

The official said that the district was divided into various sectors. He said that around 5,000 law enforcers were deployed to maintain law and order and protect lives and properties of people.

The DIG said that each sector was supervised by a DSP, having coordination with control and operation rooms to implement the plan effectively and ward off any untoward incident.

The official said that police were backed by army and FC to patrol roads and routes of processions to ensure peaceful observance of 9th and 10th Muharram. He said close circuit cameras were installed at various places to keep check on movement of suspected people.

He said that police were equipped with sophisticated weapons besides having sniffer dogs and bomb disposal squads at their disposal to check routes of processions and respond to emergency situation effectively.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2014