NWFP Inspector General of Police Muhammad Riffat Pasha on Friday categorically made it clear that disruption in routine life and damaging the public and private property would not be tolerated. He directed police officials to chalk out a comprehensive plan to provide congenial atmosphere to the peaceful citizens. The IGP issued these directives while presiding over a high level meeting to review the law and order situation in the context of PONM strike and give final touches to the strict security arrangements to foil April 2 strike of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA).
The IGP said no one is above the law and strictly directed the officials to take all possible security measures for protection of life and property of the people and maintain exemplary law and order at all cost.
They were further directed that traffic should be kept open for all sorts of vehicles round the clock at all parts of the province and ensured that miscreants should be taken to task on the spot.
Pasha said that peaceful protest is the right of every citizen but warned that taking the law into hands and damaging public and private property would be dealt with severely.
He directed police high ups to deploy more police force on important points and prevent any attempt of miscreants in time.
Peshawar capital city police chief Habib-ur-Rehman told the meeting that 32 miscreants, involved in damaging public property, were arrested during the PONM's strike on the other day while many more have been identified and they will be arrested soon.
The IGP made it clear that only the real miscreants should be arrested and peaceful citizens should be provided full protection and safety.
DIG Mardan Abdul Latif Gandapur and DIG Kohat Abdul Majeed Khan Marwat also briefed the IGP about the security arrangements for the strike in their respective ranges.
The police chief directed them to further intensify their efforts and ensure that the 2nd April strike was held in a peaceful atmosphere.