QUETTA, Dec 29: The Frontier Corps and police have been placed on high alert in 14 districts of Balochistan to ensure peace during Muharram.

“Quetta has been declared as the ‘most sensitive district’. Thousands of extra FC and police personnel will be deployed in the city,” an official told Dawn on Monday.

Scanners would be installed outside eight, out of 40, Imambargahs in the city, which have been declared sensitive.

The provincial administration has decided to seal all procession routes and install cameras at key points to monitor Ashura processions.

“Pillion riding and wall-chalking has already been banned,” an official said.

The government had also decided to implement the ban on display of weapons, he added.

Contingents of FC, Balochistan Constabulary and police would be deployed at all entry points. Quetta witnessed sectarian-related bloodshed in 2003 and 2004.