PESHAWAR, Jan 10: The authorities on Thursday decided here to ban the movement of Afghan refugees in the provincial capital during the holy month of Muharram.

SSP operations Imtiaz Shah told Dawn that the decision was necessitated by the prevailing situation.

About the Afghans living in the main populated areas in Peshawar, he said they too would be confined to their localities, because police could not take the risk of allowing their free movement in sensitive areas.

About 3,000 police personnel, Mr Shah said, had been deployed and three central police command posts set up in heart of the city. He said the staff of civic agencies would also remain on alert to cope with any emergency.

The SSP said the pillion riding had been banned and all entry and exit points would be adequately manned for thorough checks.

The shopkeepers, he said, had assured officials that they would keep their business closed during procession hours.

Women police personnel would also be deployed in sufficient number to provide security during majalis for women.