KARACHI: The Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, on Monday “appealed” to clerics and religious leaders to maintain sectarian harmony to help the law enforcement agencies ensure better security arrangements for Chehlum of Imam Hussain falling on Dec 3.

The appeal came during a meeting held to discuss security arrangements during Chehlum and the local government elections on Dec 3 and 5, respectively.

“The Rangers and police have jointly designed a strategy for security on Chehlum of Imam Hussain,” said the Rangers statement issued after the meeting, which was chaired by Rangers director general Major General Bilal Akbar and attended by senior police and paramilitary officers.

“The two forces have been put on high alert and both have started snap checking in all major cities of the province. The Rangers troops would monitor the procession of Chehlum in Karachi, whereas air surveillance through helicopter and checking of the route will also be conducted through sniffer dogs.”

Sharpshooters would be deployed on the rooftop of high-rises along the route of the procession and all connecting roads would be sealed, it said, adding the meeting also reviewed security arrangements for the polls on Dec 5.

The statement added: “The clerics were also appealed to help the law enforcement agencies by maintaining sectarian harmony and teaching people about brotherhood and peace.

“People and the candidates of local government elections were also appealed to cooperate with the law enforcement agencies and ensure implementation of the code of conduct. They were also appealed to keep an eye on their surroundings and inform the Rangers helpline 1101 in case of any suspicious activity.”

Published in Dawn, December 1st, 2015