Daily Times

The city and traffic police have prepared security and vigilance plan for the religious events including Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and three days urs of Hazrat Ali Hajveri which will begin from today (Sunday).

According to the security and traffic plan, more than 15,000 policemen, officers and other law enforcers would perform their duties to avoid any untoward incident in the provincial metropolis.

On this occasion, a four layer security would provide in and around both venues including six superintendents of police, 35 deputy superintendents of police, 60 station house officers, Counter Terrorism Department, bomb squad, special branch and other law enforcers would provide security and maintain law and order situation across the city.

On these days, thousands of devotees and followers are scattered around different places in the city for which police higher-ups would depute special trained snipers on rooftops of buildings located adjacent to important public places such as mosques, government installations, buildings and offices across the city.

Special security arrangements have been made for the devotees and security cameras, LCDs and 2,000 police officials have been deputed on the main gates of the darbar. Twelve walkthrough gates and metal detectors have been installed at entry points.

Pillion riding would also be banned on the central route of Hazrat Imam Hussain’s Chehlum, however, the police department wrote an application to Home Department for suspension of cell phone services on the procession route as well as police higher ups will also aerial visit the procession route.

The police higher ups also issued strict directions to the officials to check the participants on all entry points of the route into four tier security parametres through metal detectors, walk through gates and manually and then allow joining the procession.

Moreover, police patrolling, picketing and snap checking is being ensured in the areas of Imam bargahs, majalis points, Data Darbar and its surrounding areas and also other sensitive places across the city. The parking of vehicles would be at certain distance from the Imam bargahs and majalis points.

Talking exclusively to Daily Times, a senior police officer said a high profile meeting of senior police officers has been held to chalk out a foolproof security plan to maintain law and order in the city on the eve of Data Ali Hajvery’s urs as well as for Hazrat Imam Hussain Chehlum.

On the issue, a high level session of police officers of Lahore was arranged at Police Lines Qilla Gujjar Singh headed by Capital City Police Officer Additional Inspector General BA Nasir.

Deputy Inspector General Operations Shahzad Akbar, DIG Investigation Syed Khurram Ali, DIG Security Shaukat Abbas, Chief Traffic Officer Captain (r) Liaquat Ali Malik, SSP Operations Lahore Asad Sarfaraz Khan, SSP Administration & Investigation Malik Awais, SSP VVIP security Captain (r) Rana Tahirul Rahman, SP Headquarters Atif Nazir, SP Security Muhammad Naveed, SP Iqbal Town Syed Ali, SP Model Town Ali Wasim, SP City Ahsan Saifullah, SP Cantonment Asif Ami, SP Saddar Muaz Zafar, SP Iqbal Town Investigation Bilal Zafar, SP Investigation Civil Lines Shazia, SP Mustansir Atta Bajwa, SP Anti-Vehicle Lifting System Atif Meraj, SP City Traffic Asif Siddique, DSPs, SHOs and investigations incharge were also present at this moment.

Security matters regarding Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), Data Ganj Bakhsh urs and Raiwind concretion was discussed in this important session. Friendly environment for applicants in police stations, crackdown against proclaimed offenders, cleanliness in police stations, repairing of old police stations, crackdown against drug peddlers, search and sweep operations, open door policy, instructions of investigation on merit and 100 percent implementation of traffic rules was emphasised.

CCPO BA Nasir said while addressing the session that Lahore police will totally ensure foolproof security arrangements of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) Chehlum, urs of Data Ganj Bakhsh and Raiwind concretion. Strict action against drug peddlers and search and sweep operations should be ensured in the city. Justice to the applicants in the police stations must be ensured. He said that the City Traffic Police of Lahore deserves appreciation and congratulations over 100 percent implementation on wearing of helmets, and ensuring the commuters follow lane line and all traffic rules. He further said that more than 15,000 police officials are being deployed on the eve of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) Chehlum and Data Gunj Bakhsh urs. High alert security will be ensured at all routes of the Chehlum and urs.

DIG Operations Shahzad Akbar said that city police has made all events successful by working hard working and committing fully.

Published in Daily Times, October 28^th 2018.