RAWALPINDI: In line with the Punjab government’s directives, the district police chalked out foolproof security arrangements for Eidul Azha with deployment of 3,000 police officials.

In addition, a foolproof security plan has been made so peace could be maintained during the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) general elections. The Quick Response Force (QRF) unit will remain on standby.

Senior police officers have held a meeting with all candidates participating in the upcoming AJK general elections and informed them about the government’s directives regarding elections.

As per the directives, the police deployed at polling stations will ensure the safety of polling material. No person or candidate will be allowed to influence the election process. All SPs, SDPOs, SHOs and other police officials who had been assigned election duty will report to their respective polling stations on July 24, 2021.

No candidate will be allowed to establish a polling camp, park vehicles or gather within 200 metres from the polling station. All personnel entering inside polling stations will be subjected to a scan with metal detector.

Besides deployment of female police at female polling stations, snipers will be deployed at rooftops. All police personnel deployed for election duty will be provided meals and they have been directed to remain impartial about votes or candidates and not talk to anybody about any candidate contesting the election.

The QRF unit will remain on standby at the Police Lines and will be dispatched in case of any trouble anywhere. Besides the local police, 200 personnel of Punjab Constabulary (PC) have also been called to assist local police.

On the other hand, about 3,000 police officers will perform security duty during Eidul Azha.

In Murree, more than 300 police officials have been deployed to assist the traffic police.

A separate plan has been drawn up for maintenance of traffic during Eid, according to which more than 600 traffic police personnel will be on duty. Apart from Elite Force, Equestrian Police, Dolphin Force, Guards Squad and Ladies Police will also perform security duty to ensure peace in the district.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2021