ISLAMABAD: Vigilance has been mounted around 80 Ulema in the capital considered a threat to peace during Muharram.

Police and local administration officials on Saturday said 23 clerics had already been placed in the 4th schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act under which they were bound to inform the police station concerned about their activities and movements.

The 80 ulema belonging to the Sunni and Shia sects have been asked to restrict their movements and public appearances. Undertakings have also been taken from them.

The police have also been directed to check entry of leaders of banned outfits in the capital during Muharram.

The officials said details of such leaders had been acquired and policemen at the checkposts and patrolling teams were being briefed about them. Photos of a majority of the Ulema have been obtained and are being given to staff at the checkpoints to identify them if they tried to enter the city.

The capital police were also approaching their counterparts in other districts to make sure that Ulema considered a threat to peace are not allowed to come to the city.

All station house officers and subdivisional police officers have been directed to take steps to curb wall-chalking in the city during the month.

The officials said security measures had been taken for 177 processions and 909 Majalis to be held in the city during Muharram.

Inspector General of Islamabad Police Tahir Alam Khan said action would be taken against the organisers of Majalis and processions if they violated the routes and did not observe timings. Similarly, action would be taken if anyone was found misusing the loudspeaker.

Moreover, different wings of the police have been directed to keep close coordination, give full security coverage to the processions and allow entry to Majalis through walk-through gates. All bazaars and streets along the routes of the processions and Majalis will be closed.

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2014