Daily Times

LAHORE: The city police have finalised a four-tier security plan for Youm-e-Ali (AS).

Under the plan, more than 7,000 security personnel would provide a security cover to the main mourning procession. A number of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras have also been installed on sensitive points across the city, while a police van equipped with latest technology will also monitor
police activity.

Entry points of the route will be closed while mourners will only be allowed to join the main procession under the observation of police and organisers. Snipers will also be deployed on rooftops adjacent to important public places, mosques, government installations and offices across the city.

Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies have started search and combing operations in different areas of the city with the help of modern scanners, sniffer dogs.

Punjab Police Deputy Inspector General (Operations) Dr Haider Ashraf said that more than 7,000 security personnel would be deployed and appealed to clerics to cooperate with security personnel.

The DIG said that mourners would be allowed to join the procession after thorough checking with metal detectors and walk-through gates.

He said that personnel of Elite force, Quick Response Force (QRF), operation and investigation wings and others would perform security duties. He said that a temporary monitoring cell had been established at the DIG Operations’ Office for live monitoring of the main procession. He said that male and female volunteers would also escort the main procession.

Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Amin Wains said that all available sources would be utilised to ensure foolproof security arrangements on Youm-e-Ali (AS). He said search operations would be launched in different areas of the city, especially Afghan colonies, bus terminals, hotels and railway stations. He directed police officials to pay special importance on screening of the procession route. He directed superintendent of police (City) to evolve a strategy to issue clearance certificates to shops in the way of the procession route.

Meanwhile, the City Traffic Police (CTP) has also finalised a traffic plan for Youm-e-Ali (AS). According to the traffic plan; four DSPs, one SP, 42 inspectors, 111 Lady Traffic Wardens and more the 1,000 traffic wardens will perform duty on the route of the main procession.

Under the plan, traffic coming from Shahdara, Circular Road and Chauburji Chowk will be diverted to the Lahore Railway Station, Mori Gate Multan Road and MAO College towards Outfall Raod, respectively.

Lahore Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Rai Ijaz Ahmed said that the traffic police had organised such a traffic plan that there would be no obstruction even on the route of the main procession. He said that traffic wardens had been given special directives to keep a vigilant eye on suspected persons and cars, besides ensuring smooth flow of traffic.

He said that special parking lots had been arranged at seven different points in the city where participants of the main procession could park their vehicles. “Participants of the procession can park their cars and motorcycles at Nasir Bagh, Deputy Commissioner Office, Mochi Gate Bagh, Data Darbar Eye Hospital, Central Model High School, Bagh Ali and Adda Crown.