RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government has asked special committees constituted under the Punjab Security of Vulnerable Establishments Act, 2015 to visit educational institutions and review on the ground security arrangements in light of existing threats.

Divisional police chiefs and divisional commissioners were asked to direct the committees to visit educational institutions and check the security measures put in place.

Citing security audit reports of educational institutions shared from time to time, the provincial government has directed that the loopholes pointed in these reports be re-examined, plugged and that all possible necessary security arrangements be adopted.

Divisional police chiefs and commissioners were directed to discuss the security audit reports and loopholes pointed out in audit in the upcoming district and divisional intelligence committee meetings and the necessary measures be adopted for ensuring foolproof security arrangements.

Security apparatus is to be put on high alert and state preparedness is to be monitored. The administrations of private educational institutions are to be sensitised about the threats and it is to be ensured that existing standard operating procedures are being followed.

Police and district administration are to ensure that required security arrangements are to be made by administrations of educational institutions in line with the Punjab Security of Vulnerable Establishments Act, 2015.

The provincial government has asked the police to provide the services of the Quick Response Force, including Elite Force commandos, to strengthen security arrangements.

Intelligence based operations and search and comb operations are to be conducted around sensitive educational institutions.

Regular police patrolling is to be conducted during school timings in category A+ and A institutions with the use of the appropriate security gadgets.

About 270 educational institutions have been categorised as A+ in Rawalpindi division. A police official told Dawn that foreign schools, including convents, army schools and those with more than 500 students have been categorised A+ and that other institutions with between 250 and 500 students have been categorised A.

A security audit of category A+ educational institutions in Punjab conducted in May 2018 found security loopholes in the existing security arrangements which include lack of outer boundary walls, security guards and technical equipment.

The lack of vantage points, mock exercise, communication arrangements, police patrols, control rooms, panic buttons, entry arrangements, transport policy and proper training for security guards were also found missing during the audit.

A fresh audit categorised 1,047 educational institutions as A and found that more than 400 security guards with clearance by the Special Branch have been deployed at educational institutions.

Legal action will be taken against any educational institutions found to be lacking in any of the security arrangements and their owners will be booked.

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2019