Foolproof security planned for Ashura procession today
KARACHI: Police and Rangers claimed to have taken all-out measures to ensure security for the main Ashura procession to be taken out in the city on Tuesday (today).
“Foolproof security measures have been made for the main procession of 10th Muharram on Tuesday (today). The procession would start early at around 7.30am and culminate in Kharadar at around 4pm,” DIG-East Amir Farooqi said.
He said that 7,000 policemen and 3,000 Rangers personnel would be deployed for the security of Ashura procession in the city. Aerial surveillance, through drone cameras, of the main procession would also be carried out.
Officials said that mobile phone service would also be suspended at particular places in the city and other parts of the province on the request of DIGs/commissioners concerned.
Also, a ban on pillion-riding is in place in the city.
9th Muharram procession ends safely
The 9th Muharram procession to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Husain and his companions was taken out in the city on Monday amid tight security and hot and humid weather.
Allama Shahanshah Hussain Naqvi addressed a majlis at around 1:15pm at the Nistar Park. Later, the main procession was taken out from the park, which culminated at Imambargah Hussainian Iranian after passing through its traditional routes in the evening. Shabbar Zaidi and Sarwar Zaidi led the procession.
Arrangements were made to provide water and juices to mourners as the mercury soared to 38 degrees Celsius on Monday with 70 per cent humidity.
Some participants of the mourning procession staged a demonstration in front of the Quaid’s mausoleum against enforced disappearances of members of the Shia community and to express solidarity with their families.
DIG-East Amir Farooqi told Dawn that the participants just sat there for some time but did not raise any slogan. The deputy commissioner and SSP concerned met with the protesters and according to a spokesperson of Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) they assured them that they would take up the issue of “missing” persons after Ashura.
The DIG said that no untoward incident was reported as the procession ended peacefully.
Mobile phone services remained suspended in areas situated along the route of the main procession.
Apart from heavy deployment of Rangers and police, the law enforcers on Monday also sought the help of Frontier Constabulary as around 100 personnel were also deployed for security.
As compared to the 8th Muharram procession, better cleanliness arrangements were made along the route though there were still one or two places where sewage issue persisted. The police asked the district administration to clear those spots before the Ashura procession on Tuesday.
A police spokesperson on Monday said that Inspector General of Police Dr Syed Kaleem Imam monitored the main procession of 9th Muharram and he would also monitor the main Ashura procession on Tuesday.
According to a police report, overall 71,485 policemen, including 10,672 in Karachi, would be deployed for security on Ashura. As many as 1,342 police pickets had been set up in Karachi alone.
The police report said total 15,971 majalis, 6,288 mourning processions and 717 Tazia processions would be taken out in Sindh.
There are total 2,015 Imambargahs in Sindh. Of them, 342 are located in Karachi, 590 in Hyderabad, 138 in Mirpurkhas, 107 in Shaheed Benazirabad, 374 in Sukkur and 464 in Larkana.
It said 5,678 majalis, 668 mourning processions and 421 Tazia processions would be taken out in Karachi during Ashura.