Security on high alert during Muharram

Published February 1, 2006

NAWABSHAH, Jan 31: Sindh Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui has said the government has taken strict security measures to control any untoward incident during the month of Muharram.

He was talking to reporters at the press club here on Tuesday.

He said section 144 was imposed throughout Sindh and strict action would be taken against persons displaying arms.

The home minister warned of strict legal action if loudspeakers were used to provoke people.

He urged Ulema to preach patience and tolerance to the people so that people belonging to various schools of thought could perform their religious practices in a peaceful atmosphere.

Mr Siddiqui said clandestine cameras were installed at various sensitive places to monitor processions.

He urged the public to cooperate and inform police at 15 in case of any emergency.

Answering a question, he said the law and order situation was much better in the province.

He said police with the help of law enforcement agencies had recovered kidnapped persons and arrested the culprits.

The minister said efforts were being taken for recovery of other kidnapped persons.

He lauded efforts of the Nawabshah police for hunting of drug sellers and carrying out operation against drug mafia.

He said the police was not fully equipped with latest weapons so help of Rangers and other law enforcement agencies were being taken.

Mr Siddiqui said he had requested president, prime minister, chief minister and governor to increase salary of the Sindh police.

About deployment of Rangers in educational institutions, he said the government wanted to provide peaceful atmosphere to students.

Later, the minister listened to the problems of public at an open Katchehry in the civil defence ground.