SIALKOT, Feb 1: The district government has banned pillion-riding which will be effective till Youm-i-Ashur. District Police Officer Dr Tariq Khokhar told the press here on Wednesday that the ban had been imposed to ensure peace and avert any untoward incident during Muharram.

He said the government officials, police, armymen and journalists would be exempted from the ban.

He said the district government had also called in army to assist the administration to maintain law and order in sensitive areas. Mr Khokhar said the district government had banned the entry of 25 ulema, belonging to different schools of thought, in the district, besides banning the speeches of as many other ulema.

He said the Sialkot police had chalked out a foolproof security plan for Muharram. Leaves of the police personnel had been cancelled while security at all mosques, seminaries, imambargahs, churches and other sacred places had been tightened.

He said the Punjab government had directed the district governments to take security measures at union council level in active cooperation with nazims, naib nazims and councillors.

Protest: All TMA staff observed strike on Wednesday against what they alleged beating up of light inspector Malik Waris by some unidentified armed men.

The protesters demanded immediate arrest of the accused. However, Malik Waris alleged that Sialkot TO (Finance) Muhammad Afzal Butt was involved in the incident. Kotwali police have started investigation after registering a case with no arrest.