ATTOCK, Feb 13: Troops will be deployed at all sensitive points of the district during the holy month of Muharram to assist the local administration in maintaining law and order.

This was stated by District Police Officer Capt (retired) Zafar Iqbal Awan while talking to this reporter here on Sunday. The DPO said the Punjab Constabulary reserves had also been called to strengthen the security arrangements made by the district administration.

As part of a contingency plan, about 29 points of the district, including Maluwali, Domail, Jahmat, Shebazpur, Pindigheb, Fatehjang, Sheenbagh, Shakerdera and Kamra Kalah, have been declared sensitive, he said.

The DPO said as many as 668 Majalis and 134 processions would be held in various areas of the district. Police and Elite Force personnel would remain on high alert to ensure security during Azadari meetings and processions.

He said a joint flag march of police and army would also be carried out. Leaders of various sects as well as organizers of processions have already been sent a code of conduct, under which a ban has been imposed on the use of loudspeakers, except for sermons in Arabic and Azan.

Similarly, no one would be allowed to distribute any objectionable literature, make provocative speeches or pass derogatory remarks about other sects, he said. In addition to this, pillion riding, watching processions from rooftops, and display of fireworks and weapons have also been banned, the DPO said.

He said no vehicle or pushcart would be allowed within 100 yards of Imambargahs or procession routes. A traffic plan is being chalked out to keep traffic away from processions, while traditional routes of mourning processions would neither be changed nor extended, he said.

He warned strict action against those violating the code of conduct. He said all leaves of the employees of district police had been cancelled. Police will erect barricades at all entry points of the district to check movement of suspicious persons, he added.

RAILWAY SECURITY PLAN: Following railway line explosions in Balochistan and some other parts of the country, Pakistan Railways has enhanced security along the 70-km stretch of main track as well as Indus river bridge in Attock district, sources said.