PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police chief Dr Mohammad Naeem Khan has directed district police officers to maintain peace during Muharram by adopting comprehensive security measures.

He issued the directives while chairing a Muharram conference at the central police office, according to a statement issued here on Wednesday.

The DPOs briefed the police chief about the security plan for Muharram in their respective districts.

Dr Naeem pointed out that maintenance of peace and tranquility was the prime responsibility of police and that no loopholes would be tolerated in the security arrangements.

The district police officers were directed to review the security arrangements themselves by visiting the spot in uniform and conducting snap-checking with special focus on motorcycles without number plates.

They were also directed to ensure hotspot policing and deployments on hilltops and rooftops in sensitive areas and plugging all inlets and outlets leading to Imambargahs and procession routes.

They were also directed to call all the volunteers, get their cell numbers and brief them about their nature of duty.

Police high-ups were asked to hold meetings with all the stakeholders and ensure their part of job done for Muharram.

The police chief made it clear that security arrangements adopted for Muharram would be checked through different teams and in case of any lapse concerned DPOs would be held responsible.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2019