RAWALPINDI: The city district government of Rawalpindi (CDGR) will launch a security surveillance project worth Rs50 million which would secure the route of the traditional Muharram procession in the garrison city.

Under the project, close-circuit television (CCTV) cameras will be installed on the 10km area next month.

This project is being implemented to prevent sectarian violence similar to the one that took place last year on Ashura.

During the incident, CCTV cameras installed along Imambargahs and in Raja Bazaar went missing, making it difficult for the police and local administration to collect evidence.

Under the project, CCTV cameras will be installed on the main Muharram procession route

Meanwhile, on the recommendation of the law enforcement agencies, Punjab’s home department has decided to install CCTV cameras and establish control and command rooms in all major cities of the province. Initially, it will start work in Lahore and Faisalabad, while Rawalpindi and Multan will get the facility next year.

In the meantime, the CDGR has decided to launch a pilot project in Rawalpindi city to monitor the Muharram route. Other parts of the city will be included in this control and command system when Punjab’s home department launches the project in Rawalpindi and Multan.

Talking to Dawn, District Coordination Officer (DCO) Sajid Zafar Dall said the CDGR has decided to install CCTV cameras on the traditional route of Muharram once and for all; also the control and command centre will be established at CDGR Complex in the district courts.

He said the CCTV cameras will be installed on the lampposts and the local administration will monitor the activities during Muharram and 12 Rabiul Awal processions.

“The traditional route of the Muharram procession will not be changed in future and the CDGR has decided to install permanent fixtures to monitor the activities,” DCO Dall said, adding that the system will also be used to improve traffic in the inner town and remove encroachments in routine days.

The traditional route of the procession was six kilometre long, he said. It starts from Imambargah Qadeemi and ends at the same place after passing through Murree Road, Raja Bazaar and Moti Bazaar.

“A fibre optic will be laid from this route to Rawal Town Municipal Administration office and then it will be extended to the district courts, four kilometres away from Raja Bazaar,” he said.

After the project is launched, Dall said, the main roads of the garrison city will come under the control and command system of the Punjab Home Department. “Funds for this project will be released by the Punjab government and CDGR will not spend the money from its own pocket,” he said.

Published in Dawn, July 10th, 2014