ISLAMABAD: The police reviewed security arrangements for Muharram on Thursday and decided to increase patrolling in various areas.

Muharram security will be supervised by the deputy inspector general of police (operation) (DIG), police said. All police officials will liaise closely with peace committees and organisers of majalis and processions during the month.

Strict security arrangements will be made for majalis, they said, including checking participants of majalis and processions with metal detectors.

Supervisory officers will also be vigilant to ensure security measures are put in place by police and by peace committees, they said.

Police said search and combing operations have begun in parts of the capital, especially in slums and wooded areas, the Margalla Hills, rural areas and the surroundings of nullahs. Vigilance has been increased at points of entry into the city.

All zonal superintendents of police have been asked to monitor search operations themselves and inform senior officials on a daily basis of progress in this regard. They said local police have been made responsible for light arrangements in and around majalis and procession sites and imambargahs, with the assistance of the concerned authorities.

Local police have also been told to weed shrubbery around procession routes, places where majalis are held and imambargahs.

Police commandoes and vehicles will perform security duties at imambargahs and religious gatherings, while local police will ensure that processions follow the fixed routes and observe their timings.

Walk-through gates will be installed at all entry and exit points at majalis and processions, which will be covered by a large strength of police officials, they said. The station house officer, sub-divisional police officer and superintendent of police will be responsible for checking and curbing wall-chalking and posters that may hurt people’s sentiments.

Patrolling officers will visit the routes of all Muharram processions and imambargahs, and armed police will be deployed on the roofs of buildings nearby.

Women police officials will also be deputed at women’s gatherings, and details of volunteers performing security duties will be collected by local police and verified before approval.

Peace committees will ensure that strangers are not allowed to stay in places of worship during the month.

The police will also hold a flag march in their respective limits and arrangement briefings with subordinates before assigning patrolling and checking duties, the police said.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2019