LAHORE: The inspector general of police (IGP) has directed the field police officers to make elaborate arrangements for the security of mosques, imambargahs and other religious places for Ramazan.

At a video link conference with regional and district police officers of the province, Rao Sardar Ali Khan directed them to pay special attention to the security of sensitive mosques and places of worship during Sehri, Iftar and Taraweeh.

He said the patrolling in the morning and night hours should be increased to keep a close eye on the suspects and anti-social elements.

He said special operations should be carried out during the holy month against hoarding and profiteering with the help of special branch and intelligence agencies and the culprits involved in these illegal acts should be punished.

Mr Khan also issued instructions to beef up the security of public markets, banks and shopping centres and directed the officers to increase the working hours of Dolphins, Peru and patrolling forces in sensitive areas.

Showing his utter displeasure over the failure to control kite flying in most of the districts, he warned he would not spare anyone for not ensuring the ban in this regard.

He directed them to launch an operation against those involved in kite flying, aerial firing and drug smuggling and such culprits should be brought to book.

The IGP assigned special tasks to major cities, including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Multan and Gujranwala, to curb crime.

Giving directions against kidnap for ransom and abuse of women and children, he told officers to look after such cases under their personal supervision so that the accused could be given punishment.

Rao Sardar also said the strict implementation of the National Action Plan should be ensured along with intelligence-based operations in collaboration with the intelligence agencies. The negligence in the arrest of proclaimed offenders and court absconders would not be tolerated and strict action would be taken against those responsible for the escape of the accused during trial.

Published in Dawn, April 2nd, 2022