GILGIT: The authorities finalised security arrangements for Muharram processions across Gilgit-Baltistan on Thursday.

According to a statement, 2,752 police personnel would be deployed to cope with any untoward incident and maintain law and order during Muharram.

It said that a meeting was held in the police headquarters to review the security plan with IGP Mujeebur Rehman Khan in the chair.

DIGs Afzal Mohammad Butt, Awais Ahmed, Waqas Ahmed and Farman Ali; and AIGs Mohammad Jamil, Jahangir Hussain, Ali Hasan and Abdullah Khan; and SSPs Mohammad Ishaq, Tanveerul Hasan, Tufail Ahmed, Hafeezur Rehman, Raja Mirza Hasan and Hamza Hamayun; and SP ahira Yasub and other officials attended the meeting.

The meeting was briefed about deployment of police at normal, sensitive and most sensitive immambarghs and routes of processions.

Holidays police personnel have been cancelled for Muharram duty.

The IGP directed heads of police in all district to hold meetings with religious leaders, local elders and peace committees to promote sectarian harmony and tolerance in the region.

He also directed to implement code of conduct to stop controversial speeches, hateful slogans and firing in the air.

He said that CCTV cameras should be updated. The IGP said participants of processions should follow standard operating procedure to contain spread of coronavirus.

The meeting was informed that 610 police personnel were deployed in Nagar, 172 in Astore, 80 in Ghizer, 600 in Skardu, 160 in Kharmang, 265 in Ghanche, 215 in Shigar and 302 in Hunza while 136 police personnel were deputed in Diamer on Karakoram Highway for patrolling and checking suspected people and vehicles.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2020