LAHORE: More than 80,000 personnel of the Punjab Police have been deployed for the security of religious places, Chand Raat and for the Al-Quds Day rallies in addition to deployment of force in markets, bazaars and sensitive places.

The security arrangements were finalised at a meeting held at the Central Police Office on Thursday.

Presided over by Inspector General of Punjab Police Dr Usman Anwar, the meeting was attended by the relevant senior police officers.

The meeting was briefed that 21,479 officers/officials and volunteers would perform their duties for the security of JumatulWida congregations and 117 rallies being taken out to observe the Al-Quds Day across the province.

Similarly, more than 19,000 officers and other personnel, including volunteers, would be deployed for the security of markets, bazaars and other sensitive places on Chand Raat, while more than 40,000 personnel would be deployed for the security of 23,642 mosques, Imambargahs and 823 open places for Eid prayers across the province.

It was also briefed that 150 walk-through gates, 10,895 metal detectors and 3,796 CCTV cameras would be used during security arrangements.

The IGP issued instructions to the officers to ensure protection of the life and property of the citizens so that they could celebrate Eid with their families without any fear or danger.

He directed the field police officers to carve out comprehensive and fool-proof security arrangements for maintaining law and order on Eid. He also emphasised upon smooth flow of traffic on the roads and special focus should be placed on the security of entertainment places, public parks and public centres.

Dr Usman said measures should be taken for the security of Jumatul Wida gatherings and Al-Quds Day rallies.

The security arrangements for sensitive rallies should be monitored through CCTV cameras installed privately other than those of the Punjab Safe Cities Authority.

He directed the police officers to deploy snipers on rooftops for the security of sensitive mosques, imambargahs and other places, while plainclothes police commandos should be present to perform duty inside central Eid congregations.

The police chief said RPOs, CPOs and DPOs should personally monitor the Eid security plan and the process of checking and monitoring at sensitive religious and public places besides at the entrance and exit routes of districts and inter-provincial checkposts.

He also directed them that a contingent of lady police personnel should be deployed for women’s Eid prayer gatherings.

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2023