KOHAT: The deputy commissioners of Kohat and Hangu have imposed the Section 144, banning pillion-riding and gathering of five or more people for 30 days as the two districts have been declared sensitive and the most sensitive during Muharram.

Under the Section 144, wall chalking, standing of people on rooftops around Imambargas and buildings along the routes of mourners’ processions has also been banned, according to separate statements issued on Tuesday by deputy commissioner, Kohat, Furqan Ashraf and deputy commissioner, Hangu, Mohammad Rafique.

They said fiery speeches, carrying of petrol in containers, use of loudspeakers except for Azaan and mourners’ speeches, tinted glass in vehicles, staying of non-locals in inns and hotels in the surroundings of Imambargas had also been restricted.

They said the violators would be proceeded against under Section 188 of PPC.

Meanwhile, the deputy commissioner and district police officer, Kohat Mohammad Suleman reviewed the preparations for holding the mourning processions and gatherings in Imambargas.

They also issued directives for keeping all the drains clean and lighting systems functional during the night.

Also in the day, a jirga of Shia elders from Hangu demanded foolproof security for Imambargas and mourning congregations during Muharram.

Elders from Ibraheemzai, Raissan Babar Mela, Lodhikhel, Pass Kalay, Gunjiana Kalay and Ali Abad called on DSP Asif Sharif to discuss matters pertaining to the security of Imambargas and mourning processions.

They asked for cleanliness of the mourners’ routes and surroundings of imambargas

The DSP assured that foolproof security arrangements would be in place for the security of all religious places, including mosques, and nobody would be allowed to disturb peace in the region.

WHEAT FLOUR: The Orakzai administration has directed the tehsildars to ensure smooth distribution of the subsidised wheat flour.

The directives were issued during a meeting chaired by the assistant commissioner, Upper Orakzai.

Separately, the Kohat police during a crackdown arrested 17 proclaimed offenders, four illegal Afghans and 390 suspects during operations on the city outskirts and refugee camps on Tuesday.

The police also recovered weapons, including seven Kalashnikovs, five repeater guns, 10 shotguns, four rifles and 30 pistols. Besides, 18 kilogrammes of hashish and 1.29 kg of heroin were also recovered.

Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2022