RAWALPINDI: Security has been heightened in the city in the aftermath of the recent deadly terrorist attacks, all for the good. But the measure of doubling of the number of police-army check posts on the roads is, inevitably, proving stressful for citizens.

Where there used to be six check-posts on the Mall Road, Peshawar Road and the Murree Road for random checking of vehicles, there are now 12. People feel particularly inconvenienced waiting in long, unwieldy queues during rush hours for schoolchildren and office-goers.

“I need to leave at least 30 minutes before I have to now to clear a check post at Morgah to drop my children at their school,” said a motorist.

Meanwhile, the military and police intelligence agencies are continuing their joint search operations for malevolent elements in the garrison city and interviewed dozens of people on Monday.

Police, however, are concentrating more on the registration of cases against tenants and owners of houses, hotels and hostels for not giving their particulars to the police in line with the National Action Plan (NAP). Overnight, they registered 78 such cases.

A senior police officer, on condition of anonymity, said that the exercise should have been conducted by the more suitable elected members of union councils, “leaving the police to do their real job”.

In any case, he considered the search operations useless. “This cannot stop the wave of terror. All individuals picked up by police are investigated thoroughly, but whoever proves his identity is allowed to go home,” he said.

Already secured by high walls, topped with razor wire, and armed guards at their entrances, the offices of the city police officer (CPO) and the regional police officer (RPO) has limited entry to public, including those seeking police help.

Police barriers have closed the road leading to the office of CPO Israr Ahmed Abbasi, the Anti-Terrorism Court and the District administration offices, with armed police men deployed all around. People are no more allowed to park vehicles along the roadside.

In fact, high ranking police officers have restricted their movements since the killing of top officers of the Punjab police in the recent suicide bombing in Lahore.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mushtaq Ahmed Sukhera had issued directives to police across the province to take appropriate security measures to protect themselves following the bloody incident.

The IGP asked police officers to check their vehicles before boarding them and restrict their movements during and after office hours.

RPO Muhammad Wisal Fakhar Sultan Raja on Monday visited Chakri Road, Kohala, to ensure foolproof security of the grid station there.

He directed the area police to deploy more security guards and install CCTV cameras for the purpose, and also provide security cover to engineers and other experts during their movement and while they are on field duty.

RPO Raja later went into a session with senior police officers. He gave them one week to conduct security audit of the educational institutions, sensitive installations, important personalities, district courts, bus stands and hospitals in their precinct.

Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2017