LAHORE: All possible steps should be taken by utilising all available resources for the security of 1,620 majalis and mourning processions on the event of Yaum-e-Shahadat of Hazrat Ali on Ramazan 21. Inspector General of Police Punjab Captain (r) Arif Nawaz Khan expressed these views while addressing the RPOs and DPOs on a video link conference at the CPO on Thursday. He added that special attention should be paid to the security plan of Yaum-e-Ali which should be prepared under the supervision of DPOs while devising security plan and valued suggestions of local administrators of majalis and processions should be accommodated. He directed to provide four layered security to sensitive districts and their “A” category processions. He said that no mourners should be allowed to enter into procession without getting checked by walk through gates and metal detectors. He furthermore said that the security of markets, banks and shopping centres should be beefed up and patrolling timing of Dolphin and patrolling forces should be enhanced in order to control street crimes. While concerning to increase in crimes in some districts, IG Punjab has expressed anger to respective RPOs and DPOs and urges them to boost actions to detain criminals and gangs involved in crimes and take stern action against active criminals of their districts. He said that search, sweep and combing operations should be boosted along with increase in patrolling in crime affected areas. Additional IG Operations Aamir Zulfiqar Khan briefed IG Punjab in the conference that more than 40,000 police officers, officials and volunteers will perform their duties throughout the province on Yaum-e-Ali while 261 walk through gates, 5,382 metal detectors and 996 CCTV cameras will be installed for the monitoring of processions and majalis. CCPO Lahore and all the RPOs briefed IG Punjab regarding the security plan for the last Ashra of Ramazan, Yaum-e-Ali and Jumma tul Wida in their districts and regions. They informed that steps have been taken for the safety and security of citizens and this task has been done under the supervision of senior officers. He said that the patrolling hours of Dolphin and other patrolling force should be increased in important markets and other sensitive areas. He directed senior officers to monitor the measures taken for traffic management of important roads and maintained a strict check on all types of activities. IG Punjab further said that security details for the VIPs should be strictly according to SOPs and the security mechanism in all the districts courts of the province should be improved further. No one should be allowed to enter the court premises without complete body search. He further directed that during the last Ashra of holy month special security measures should be taken for the security of markets, shopping plazas and commercial areas of all the districts of the province. Published in Daily Times, June 1st 2018.