ISLAMABAD, Sept 10: Eidul Fitr is a joyous event for Muslims but terrorists have unfortunately turned it into a time to fear – at least for the city police and administration.

Eid congregations are traditionally held in the open but Dawn has learnt that police and administration officials have been trying to dissuade the Ulema to confine the congregations within the four walls of mosques as a precaution.

They pointed out that after all, fanatics had launched bloody attacks on religious gatherings, even inside a mosque, at different places in the country during the holy month of Ramazan.

Apparently, the argument did not impress many Ulema and, according to the police, they would go ahead with four big congregations in the open as planned today (Saturday).

Before meeting the Ulema of different schools of thought the administration had the mind to ban Eid congregations in the open. After reading the minds of the Ulema it decided that the police would advise the organisers against open Eid congregations but leave the decision to them.

Superintendents of police and assistant commissioners would only be responsible for keeping a watch at open congregations.

About 1,500 policemen, along with personnel of Special Branch, and members of mosque committees will perform security duties in and around the worship places. The security cover would be provided to 100 worship places, according to the police.

Early in the morning the staff of bomb disposal squad will comb the particularly sensitive worship places and their surroundings. Walk-through gates will be set up at these worship places.

In the city, the main Eid congregations are to be held at Faisal Mosque, Bari Imam, Golra Shrine and Lal Masjid.

Apart from the worship places, the special police deployment would also cover public places, like markets, shopping centres and parks to provide maximum security to the residents of the city.

Police patrolling in residential areas had already been increased to prevent crime against property during the Eid days. Personnel in plainclothes have been placed at public places for the purpose.

Police personnel deployed at over 90 checkpoints have been told to be extra vigilant during the period and conduct physical checking on suspicious persons.

The city traffic police have also chalked out a plan to ensure smooth flow of traffic during the Eid celebration. ITP personnel have been assigned extra duties in market and shopping areas, mosques and public parks to facilitate the public.

RAWALPINDI: More than 5,000 Eid congregations will be held in the city on Saturday and all arrangements in this regard have already been finalised.

Security has been put on high alert as law enforcers would guard the places where Eid congregations are scheduled to be held.

The solid waste management department of the city district government has cancelled Eid holidays of around 1,700 sanitation workers, officials, including officers of the sanitation department, to ensure cleanliness during Eid days.

Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) has started cleaning the main roads. The RCB official said the area supervisors, inspectors and zonal chief sanitation inspectors would be responsible for the upkeep of their respective areas during Eid days.

The city district government officials said they had swept refuse from the areas around the city graveyards to facilitate the visitors during Eid days.

Wasa Managing Director Ch Naseer Ahmed said the agency had chalked out a  plan for smooth functioning of water supply section, water bouzer section, sewerage section and Rawal Lake Filtration Plant during Eid holidays.