ATTOCK, Oct 23: Shortage of police personnel is hampering the district government's efforts to ensure security around mosques and Imambargahs, sources told Dawn on Thursday.

In the wake of terrorist attacks on religious places in Sialkot, Multan and Lahore, the provincial government had directed administrations of all districts to adopt strict security measures for the protection of mosques and Imambargahs during Ramazan.

The district administrations had also been asked to install video cameras in sensitive mosques and Imambargahs and depute plain-clothes policemen inside the religious places to check suspects.

The mosque and Imambargah committees had also been directed to keep doors closed during prayers and arrange two private guards.

However, despite the passage of six days of Ramazan, the district administration has failed to make adequate security arrangements.

According to statistics obtained from Attock district police, there are about 1,055 mosques and Imambargahs in the district while the total strength of constables and head constables is 950 out of which 600 are already performing clerical, administrative and VVIP duties. Only 350 police constables are available to perform security duties at religious places.

The district government had assured mosque and Imambargah committees that metal dictators would be provided to them to ensure safe passage of worshippers into the mosque. But, so far, no equipment has been provided to the committees.

The sources said the committees were also not following the security plan. They had neither deputed two private security guards nor were the doors of mosques and Imambargahs being closed during prayer timings.

Due to insufficient arrangements, the worshippers are feeling insecure and are preferring to pray at home rather than at the mosques.

When contacted, District Police Officer (DPO) Attock Capt Zafar Iqbal Awan admitted that there were only 300 police constables available for 1,055 mosques and Imambargahs. Despite limited resources, we are trying to provide security at all religious places during Ramazan, he said.

However, there was a need of extra police force so that all religious places of the district could be provided security, he added.

He regretted that majority of the mosque and Imambargah administrations did not arrange private security guards and were not following other necessary instructions despite frequent requests.

Implementation of the security plan is the responsibility of the police but without the cooperation of mosque and Imambargah committees, it could not be enforced effectively, the DPO added.