PESHAWAR, March 2: The provincial chapter of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) and police authorities on Thursday agreed to adhere to a code of conduct for Friday’s protest here against the publication of blasphemous cartoons in some European newspapers.
After the meeting, MMA’s provincial chief Gull Naseeb Khan briefed reporters on measures to be taken by both sides to ensure that Friday’s protest remained peaceful.
The MMA has decided not to take out small processions and requested police to coordinate with local leaders so that they could join a big public gathering at Khyber Bazar following the Friday prayers.
To avert any untoward incident, a 3,000-strong police force will be deployed along with armed forces personnel at various points of the city.
Local political leaders will be responsible for keeping activists in check and guiding them towards Khyber Bazaar to join the meeting.
Mr Gull Naseeb said the number of procession routes was reduced from four to two so that police could effectively perform their duty and keep a watch on miscreants who could try to subvert the situation.
“Instead of taking out processions from four points, the MMA will stage protests from two places,” he said. “One big procession will proceed from Mohabat Khan Mosque and another from Madani Mosque and both will meet at Khyber Bazaar,” he added.
Since no small meeting will be allowed in the city for security purposes, the MMA leader said, all political parties and trade organisations will be asked to join the big public gathering at Khyber Bazaar. “The strike will be completely peaceful and no one will be forced to observe the strike,” he said.
Capital City Police Chief Habibur Rahaman said strict security measures had been taken to protect public and private property on Friday and no one would be allowed to take the law in their own hands. He said all SHOs had been instructed to hold meetings with nazims and local traders in order to coordinate with them on the protest day.
Besides police, the CCP said armed forces personnel would assess the force and would remain present at various points to control the situation for taking timely action against the miscreants. “According to the security plan, the city has been divided into seven sectors. Each sector will be under the control of an SP, while 50 DSPs will supervise the activity”.
The CCP said the security plan would be strictly implemented without any concession and action would be taken against violators. In reply to a question, he said police would not involve the army in any normal situation and they would be kept as an extra force.
MMA spokesman Hakeem Waheed said police should avoid harassing the public. He said police had been asked not to use tear-gas shells or batons without justification.
Political activists said they would keep a vigilant eye on miscreants and vowed to take immediate action against those who try to sabotage the peaceful protest and damage public or private property.
Station house officers (SHOs) have been asked to make videos of every small and big procession in their respective area and hold meetings with local nazims and elders of the area to coordinate with them the day’s protest. —PPI