ISLAMABAD, Oct 15: Local authorities have decided to mount a public vigil against suspected terrorists taking up residence in the city, according to a spokesman for the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration.

A meeting of the administration held under Chief Commissioner Kamran Lashari on Wednesday decided to ask all property owners to register their tenants with the police, and report any suspicious activity that they observe on their part.

“Landlords and property dealers have been directed to maintain the particulars of the tenants with themselves too,” the spokesman said.

Police, who have been conducting frequent security checks of hotels and guest houses, have been to acquire the particulars of the guests staying there.

This huge data about half of the million-plus population of Islamabad living in rented houses is supposed to help the administration deny terrorists hiding places for their activities in the city.

According to the spokesman, Mr Lashari told the meeting that security arrangements in the federal capital had been re-visited and reviewed to evolve a comprehensive and effective strategy to deal with the developing situation.

“All available sources would be used to further upgrade and strengthen the security arrangements,” he was quoted as saying.

In this regard the strength of Islamabad police was being increased, both in numbers and equipment. It will be provided latest training and weapons, he said.

Installation of close circuit TV cameras and scanners at the exit and entry points would be expedited and sniffer dogs would be used to detect explosive material, the meeting was informed.

But the chief commissioner stressed that vehicles should be checked “without causing inconvenience to the citizens”.

Police officers were directed to increase patrolling in their areas and be on the look out of suspected activity.

Police and the Islamabad administration are also holding meetings with the traders and Ulema to mobilise local community to secure markets and places of worship.

As a first step security cameras will be installed and security guards deployed in Super Market and Jinnah Super Market, according to the spokesman.

FLOUR CRISIS: In a separate meeting, the local administration asked the Punjab government to increase the wheat quota for Islamabad so that the flour requirement in the district could be met.

Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Amir Ali Ahmed formed special monitoring teams headed by magistrates to ensure smooth supply of 20kg flour bags in the city and rural areas of Islamabad on Tuesday.

Islamabad Capital Territory Administration supplied 20,000 flour bags in the city and rural areas through 20 special trucks on Tuesday.

On the special directions of Chief Commissioner Islamabad Kamran Lashari and Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Capital Territory Amer Ali Ahmed, four special teams headed by the magistrates visited the 10 flour sale points and various markets in the city and rural areas to ensure smooth supply of flour at the control price of Rs420 for 20kg bag.

The deputy commissioner said the monitoring system had been strengthened and records of flour dealers and retailers were being checked to the commodity was reaching the local community.

A number of traders found indulging in profiteering were fined.