ISLAMABAD, May 17: The local administration is taking high security steps in and around Bari Imam shrine for the safety of devotees during the five-day annual Urs commencing on May 27.

“It is for the first time we are installing close circuit security cameras in the shrine to record each and every movement in it during the Urs,” Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Chaudhry Muhammad Ali told Dawn on Thursday.

He said 24-hour monitoring would be made through the security cameras for which a control room would be set up on the premises of the shrine. A separate control room has already been established at the deputy commissioner office.

The official said walk-through gates were also being installed at the gates of the shrine. “It is also for the first time that we are issuing special parking stickers to the visitors. In this way, we would be able to check every vehicle at the entry point.”

At least 22 persons were killed and over 100 injured when a suicide bomber attacked the religious gathering during the Urs in the compound of the shrine on May 28, 2005.

The deputy commissioner said the local administration would also provide facilities of bedding and lodging to the devotees coming from different parts of the country.

He said heavy contingents of police, special branch and volunteers of civil defence would also be deputed to keep a vigil on suspicious elements.