RAWALPINDI, Oct 13: Police on Sunday said they have chalked out a strategy to ensure strict enforcement of the Punjab government’s ban on collection of hides by proscribed outfits during Eidul Azha.

A senior police officer requesting anonymity told Dawn that the government of Punjab had already issued a notification regarding the ban on collection of sacrificial animal hides and fund raising by banned organisations.

“All the police officers concerned have been directed to proceed against such outlawed outfits who violate the ban,” he said.

When asked whether the outlawed outfits found involved in violating the ban would be booked under the Anti-Terrorism Act, he replied in the negative and said there were sections of the Pakistan Penal Code that dealt with such violations.

It may be recalled that the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) had warned the police of ineffective enforcement of the ban on proscribed organisations who have set up camps to collect animal hides.

But so far no action has been taken against them by the police. The authorities believe that the money collected by banned organisations was being used for terrorism activities.

It was also suggested by the CTD that such organisations or their members found involved in collecting hides for raising funds should be booked under the ATA.

According to police sources, more than 70 cases had been registered against those found involved in collecting animal hides on Eidul Azha last year.

The booked people were associated with different banned outfits such as Lashkar-i-Jhangvi, Al-Rehmat Trust, Harkat Jihad-i-Islami, Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan.

When contacted, Bilal Saddique Kamyana, the city police officer, said they would enforce the ban on collection of animal hides by outlawed outfits and anybody found violating the ban would be booked.

“No banned organisation will be allowed to set up camps to collect hides for raising funds.”

On the other hand, more than 4,000 policemen and elite force commandoes will be deployed in the city to ensure peace on Eidul Azha. Leaves of the police and traffic wardens have been cancelled and a central control room has been established at the traffic office.

As part of the security, police officials will be deployed around 652 mosques, 73 open spaces and 67 imambargahs where Eid congregations will be held.

Parking of vehicles will not be allowed near mosques, imambargahs and open places where the Eid congregations will be held.