Capital City Police Officer, (CCPO), Muhammad Pervez Rathore has directed that parking for all Ashura Majalis and processions be made at a safe distance, at least 200 meters away from the designated venue. CCPO told that 134 mobile squad, 85 motor bikes, 75 cars, 11 cars of Elite Force would also be deployed to ensure law and order for these venues.
He said that all entry and exit points of the places of Majalis be covered and roof top deployment be made at Imam Bargahs, places of Majalis and route of the Ashura processions. Muhammad Pervez Rathore directed all divisional SPs to personally check the force deployment and patrolling of mobile squad in their respective areas, besides paying random visits to sensitive places.
CCPO said that Ulema and Media have a leading role in maintenance of law and order and eradication of terrorism in the city. He also appealed to the citizens, religious leaders and mosques' administrations to depute their gunmen at all places of worship from their own locality, so that they can recognise prayer sayers and point out any suspicious person. CCPO appealed to the Ulema for their co-operation regarding limiting the use of loud speakers only to the places of worship.
CCPO expressed these views while addressing a meeting of Ulema and Mushaikh of District Peace Committee Lahore held at Capital City Police Headquarters, which called on him here on Saturday. Muhammad Pervez Rathore said that foolproof Ashura security plan has been chalked out after consultation with leaders belonging to various religious schools of thought and 184 potential trouble points had been identified in the city.
CCPO said police officers and more than 25 thousand police Jawans would provide security cover to Majalis and processions while armed personals would also be deputed to provide security to different programmes to be held on daily basis.
Similarly, Lahore Police force would provide security cover to 297 Imam Bargahas and 787 mosques falling on the routes of procession. He informed that crises management centres have been established in the city, which would function around the clock, while a special control room has also been set-up in the office of CCPO for co-ordination between various agencies.
Muhammad Pervez Rathore said that code of conduct would be strictly implemented during Ashura-e-Muharram and 1068 members of District Peace Committed would remain present on the routes of procession and Majalis especially at sensitive places. Similarly, strict enforcement of Loudspeaker Ordinance would be ensured, the CCPO added.