KARACHI, July 7: Sindh Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui has ordered a state of high alert for police in view of the floods in river Indus as a flow of 450,000 to 500,000 cusecs is expected to enter into the limits of the province on Saturday. The minister especially impressed upon the DPOs, TPOs and SHOs of the areas close to the right and left banks of the river to keep a strict vigil on the situation and ensure safety of life and property of vulnerable population in case of any emergency.

He issued the directives at the 18th passing out parade of the 488 police commandos at the Police Training Centre, Razzakabad, here on Thursday.

Addressing the ceremony as chief guest, the home minister said that effective changes had been introduced in the training pattern of police commandos in view of the changing internal and external situation. “This includes special training in combating hijacking, kidnapping for ransom, suicide bombing, sectarian violence, etc.,” he pointed out.

Responding to certain points raised by the IGP, Asad Jehangir, in his welcome address, the minister announced that like in Punjab, the monthly allowance of Rs1,000 and the ration allowance of Rs600 per month for member of the elite force would soon be given.

The minister also announced an increase in training funds, and said every police training centre would now get an annual fund of Rs500,000.

CCPO Tariq Jamil, DIG Operation Mushtaq Shah, DIG Training Yamin Khan and DIG Traffic Falak Khursheed were among those present at the ceremony.—PPI