PESHAWAR: The police have deployed 1,800 personnel across the provincial capital during the last 10 days of Ramazan for the security of the people going shopping for Eidul Fitr.

Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations) Peshawar Abbas Majeed Marwat told Dawn on Monday that the people, including women and children, thronged bazaars for shopping during the last 10 days of Ramazan and therefore, the police had developed a special security plan for the period.

He said the plan focused on mosques, markets and Eid bazaars with 1,800 personnel already deployed across the city for the purpose.

The SSP said the police had also deployed 25 strike units and two armored personnel carriers to maintain peace in the city.

He said APCs patrolled the city in two shifts of six hours each – one from 8am to 2pm and the other from 6pm to 12am.

Mr. Marwat said the police had made a comprehensive plan to ensure the protection of worshippers at 247 mosques of the capital, while special security arraignments would be made for the Jumatul Wida, the last Friday of Ramazan.

He said special security measures would also be taken for the bazaars frequented by women and that men wouldn’t be allowed to enter such places along with female family members.

The SSP said the police had also discussed security arrangements with the traders of cantonment areas.

“Traders have agreed on security parameters, including closure of bazaars for vehicular traffic during the last five days of Ramazan over the women’s complaints,” he said.

Mr. Marwat said the police had also deployed five squads of horse mounted policemen in city and cantonment bazaars and that they’re cracking down on Afghan nationals illegally living in the city as well as proclaimed offenders.

He said all station house officers had also been directed to show zero tolerance against firing in the air.

“SHO of the area where people fire gunshots in the air will be held responsible for the illegal act,” he said.

The SSP said the city police had deployed 118 women personnel in women’s bazaars and that some of the city’s entry points would be plugged during the last 10 days of Ramazan.

He said the traffic police had been told to make a proper plan to ensure parking arrangements in bazaars and smooth flow of traffic on the roads.

Mr. Marwat said senior police would also be on duty during the period.

On Sunday night, city police chief Mubarak Zeb visited parts of the interior city and examined security arrangements.

Published in Dawn, June 28th, 2016