FAISALABAD, Jan 16: Police officials in districts have been directed to take precautionary measures to avert suicide bombings in Muharram, Dawn learnt on Monday.

Sources said that district governments, tehsil municipal administrations and police officials were asked to ensure the foolproof security for all mosques, imambargahs, processions and congregations to avert any potential terror act.

They said the Punjab government had directed district police officers to resolve disputes connected with Muharram. The provincial government has banned any new route for mourning procession.

Those having any link with banned outfits will also be monitored.

Law enforcers were also directed to summon and warn those leaders who usually deliver objectionable speeches during Muharram. A strict action would be taken against such leaders if government’s instructions were defied, sources said.

All district nazims have also been asked to constitute squads to remove objectionable and offensive wall posters and graffiti.

The army has been called in Faisalabad as the deputy inspector general (Operations) had sought the assistance of the troops, sources said.

Sources said surveillance cameras would be installed at major points and procession organisers were also directed to constitute their own security committees to conduct body search of all the participants.

Faisalabad remained in the grip of sect-related terrorism in the 90s and many Shias and Sunnis were killed in the years of 1997 and 1998.