LAHORE: Punjab police have devised a three-layer security plan for Eidgahs, mosques and Imambargahs throughout the province on Eidul Azha.

Presiding over a meeting here on Sunday at the Central Police Office to review the security plan for upcoming Eid, Punjab Inspector General of police (IGP) Dr Syed Kaleem Imam said snipers would be deployed on the roofs of mosques and Imambargahs in “A category”, while commandos in civil dress would also be deployed at the Eid gatherings.

He directed Lahore capital city police officer (CCPO), and all district, regional and city police officers to ensure supervision of security measures in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

The IG ordered checking and clearance of all the mosques, Eidgahs and Imambargahs prior to Eid prayers and deployment of female police officials for the security of women’s gatherings.

He also ordered checking of those entering Eidgahs with metal detectors and walk-through gates.

He directed the officers to ensure implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) regarding the collection of animal hides. Policemen should also be deployed for the security of zoos, parks and other recreational areas, he said.

The IG said patrolling hours of Quick Response Force, Dolphin and patrolling police should be increased on all the important roads and highways and security plans should be implemented, while efforts should also be made to ensure smooth flow of traffic on the roads during Eid days.

Operations Additional IG Imran Mehmood briefing the IGP on the Eid security plan said 48,850 officers and officials would perform duty for the security of 23,503 mosques, Imambargahs and Eidgahs, while 1,575 CCTV cameras, 11,007 metal detectors and 162 walk-through gates would be used for security purpose.

The IG also ordered special parking arrangements for the Eid prayer gatherings.

He said steps should be taken to ensure action against the banned organisations involved in collecting hides of sacrificial animals in the province. Only those organisations should be allowed to collect hides which had government approval.

He also ordered search, sweep and intelligence-based combing operations in the surroundings of sensitive mosques and Imambargahs in the province.

He said police should also keep an eye on the people in Fourth Schedule list.

He ordered strict action against those involved in display of weapons, aerial firing, one-wheeling and violating the Punjab Sound System Regulation Act etc.

The IG also ordered special security measures outside the banks and in the markets in the province for taking action against the robbers and thieves.

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2018