LAHORE, March 2: City police chief Khwaja Khalid Farooq said on Sunday the police would sought army’s help in case of any emergency during Muharram.

“In case of need, army will be called in,” an official handout quoted the police chief as saying at a meeting arranged to finalize security arrangements at the city police headquarters.

The police had started special checking of motorcycle riders as a first step of the contingency plan to ensure law and order, he said.

He added that sensitive spots had been identified and their lists had been handed over to the SPs and DSPs concerned. “The officials have been directed to take extra care of the these spots and deploy more force to ensure peace.”

Mr Farooq asked the senior police officers to take guarantees from religious leaders of all sects to follow restrictions on the use of loudspeakers.

Meanwhile, the police chief held meetings with the Lahore Peace committee and the leaders of different religious parties.

He stressed the need to create an atmosphere of harmony and brotherhood during the month, urging the religious leaders to help police foil the designs of anti-social elements.

The members of the peace committee and the religious leaders promised the police chief that they would extend full support. “We will work with the police to identify and arrest the anti-state elements,” they assured.