RAWALPINDI: In addition to more than 6,300 policemen, 10 companies each from military and Rangers are being deployed to provide security to 113 Majalis and 65 Ashura processions to be taken out from different imambargahs in the city on Muharram 10.

Besides the heavy deployment, walk-though gates and hundreds of CCTV cameras are being installed at different points to monitor the processions. The link roads are also being sealed to ensure the safety of mourners.

Regional Police Officer Mohammad Wisal Fakhar Sultan Raja and City Police Officer (CPO) Israr Ahmed Abbasi are supervising the security arrangements for Ashura.

“Right now there has not been any specific threat to Rawalpindi from any banned outfit but police are doing what is possible to ensure the safety of the Ashura procession,” the CPO said.

The CPO said they had learnt a lesson from the 2013 Raja Bazaar sectarian violence and mistakes committed by the then police command would not be repeated.

He said that he would make sure that all of the senior police officers were present on their duty points during Ashura procession. Ban on use of loudspeaker is being effectively implemented, he added.

On the other hand, the City Traffic Police have chalked out a traffic plan for Ashura according to which traffic would be diverted at 12 different points.

According to the plan, 449 traffic police officials including 47 junior wardens, 374 wardens, 22 inspectors and six DSPs will be deployed to maintain traffic on different routes.

Roads from Committee Chowk to Iqbal Road and DAV College Road and DAV College Road to Fawara Chowk will remain closed for traffic. No public service vehicle will be allowed towards DAV College Chowk.

Published in Dawn, October 12th, 2016