RAWALPINDI: As over 6,000 policemen are deployed to ensure security on Ashura in Rawalpindi, the law enforcers are also keeping a keen eye on social media to curb religious and communal hatred in online spaces and those involved in such an act have been warned about consequences.

Senior Superintendent of Police Operations Hafiz Kamran Asghar said that legal action would be taken against those who spread hatred on social media to effectively control the spread of hate material. “Legal action will be taken against those who spread religious and communal hatred on social media, while all senior officers will be present in the field to personally monitor the security arrangements,” SSP operations said while talking about security measures for Muharram.

“We used effective communication methods and deployed extensively,” SSP Asghar said about the deployment of 6,000 policemen on Muharram 10.

In addition, as many as 900 traffic police officers and personnel will perform traffic duties while more than 2,900 officers have been deployed to ensure foolproof security for the main procession of 10 Muharram. Similarly, foolproof security will be provided to 65 processions and 113 ‘majalis’ which have been categorised according to their vulnerability.

Over 6,000 police officials deployed in Rawalpindi for security; traffic diversions in place

Police deployed at the entry points of the procession would carry out a full-body search of participants and walk-through gates would also be installed for the mourners. Along with the security personnel, volunteers will also perform duty. The bomb disposal squad would sweep the procession routes and venues and sharpshooters would be deployed on rooftops along the route of the procession which would be monitored by a control room through CCTV cameras. The police would also block streets, roads and other routes with barbed wires and shipping containers.

Implementation of the code of conduct and security SOPs regarding Muharram was being ensured, police said, adding that all measures were being taken to maintain law and order with the cooperation of all stakeholders.

Traffic plan

The City Traffic Police issued a traffic plan regarding Ashura, a total of 852 officers and wardens will maintain traffic during the Ashura procession. Special arrangements have been made to keep traffic flowing on alternative routes. Committee Chowk to Iqbal Road will be closed to all traffic and a complete diversion will be in place at DAV College Chowk.

From DAV College Chowk, the entry of all types of traffic towards College Road will be stopped, while the entry of traffic from DAV College Chowk towards Fawara Chowk will also be prohibited when the procession reaches Naya Mohallah.

According to Chief Traffic Officer Taimoor Khan, public service transport will be diverted from DAV College Chowk while other traffic will be diverted from Gawalmandi to Dhoke Kumhar to Bhosa Godam. The traffic will be diverted towards Mashriq Hotel.

The traffic from City Saddar Road will be diverted back towards Saddar and Mohanpura from where it will go from old Novelty Cinema Chowk to Pirwadhai via Ganjmandi Road. Similarly, traffic from Novelty Cinema Chowk to Kashmiri Bazaar will not be allowed and will go instead towards Transit Camp.

The traffic from the City police station will also be diverted to Ganjmandi Road which will go towards Dhok Hasu Pirwadhai. There will also be a diversion on Shah Allah Ditta Road from where the traffic will be directed towards Dhoke Dalal, TB Hospital, Pirwadhai, and Asghar Mall Road via Saidpur Road.

Diversions will be made at Hamilton Chowk and Banswala Chowk, Dingi Khoi, and Jamia Masjid and traffic will not be allowed. The traffic coming towards the old Imambargah Baltistan will be completely blocked. Traffic will be diverted to alternative routes at Banni Chowk, Kohati Bazaar, Roshan Bakery, Kali Tanki Chowk, Asghar Mall College, Banni Market, and other places.

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2024