Over 150,000 police officials including volunteers will provide security cover to 36,138 'Majalis' and 9,118 mourning processions in the provincial capital during the holy month of Muharram-ul-Haram, it emerged on Sunday.
According to a letter written to CPOs, DPOs and RPOs across the province, Punjab Inspector General Police (IGP) Arif Nawaz Khan has ordered to ensure a four-tier security of all 'majalis' and processions by using walkthrough gates, metal detectors and CCTV cameras.
He said all the RPOs and DPOs should also personally review the security arrangements in their respective ranges and districts and brief the deputed personnel about the sensitivity of the duty. He said that timing of the majalis and processions must be strictly observed and search, sweep and combing operations should be continued in the vicinity of sensitive imambargahs, procession and majalis points.
According to the IG, snipers should also be deployed on rooftops of the procession routes. Commandos in civil dress will also keep an eye on suspicious activities. No mourner should face any type of problem due to security arrangements, he warned.
The DPOs and the RPOs should ensure that no official shall leave the duty point till the peaceful passage of mourning processions and culmination of majalis. Timely provision of meals will be ensured for the officials on their duty point, assured the IGP.