Punjab police in coordination with law enforcement agencies have put in place a stringent security plan for the safety of the Christian community and other people across Punjab ahead of Christmas and Quaid-e-Azam Day celebrations.
In this regard, Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Shoaib Dastgir chaired a high-level security meeting with all the senior police officers at the central police office on Monday. All the regional and district police officers also joined the meeting through a video-link.
While issuing directions, the IG asked the RPOs and DPOs to personally supervise the security plan and ensure implementation of the devised SOPs so that the Christian community can celebrate their religious festival without any fear. "All the citizens are equal before the police and state," Dastgir told the participants and added that police will ensure everyone's security by utilizing all available resources without any discrimination on the basis of religion or sect.
He further directed to ensure checking through CCTV cameras, metal detectors and walkthrough gates of all the believers entering the churches of 'A' category. "Snipers should also be deputed at the rooftops of theses churches," he added.l Shoaib directed the senior officers to keep a close coordination with Rescue 1122, fire brigade and emergency health services during the security arrangements while patrolling hours in the vicinity of Christian settlements should also be made more effective.
To ensure smooth flow of traffic around parks and public places, the IG said that additional wardens should be deputed while an effective patrolling mechanism of Dolphin and PERU and other patrolling forces should be devised for the convenience of the citizens.
For the New Year night security, a special police squad in civvies will take immediate action in Lahore and other big cities against the youngsters involved in one wheeling, aerial firing and or any other illegal activity, especially eve-teasing, the IG shared.
The IG also directed the CCPO Lahore all the RPOs and DPOs to keep a close coordination with the leadership of the Christian community so that a peaceful atmosphere could be ensured during the celebrations.
He also emphasized the need for carrying out combing operations in all districts by increasing patrolling hours in sensitive areas.
Speaking on the occasion, Punjab AIG (Operations) Inam Ghani revealed that over 36,000 officials will perform security duty for the upcoming three major events - Christmas, Quaid-e-Azam Day and New Year night celebrations.
"Of them, almost 22,000 officials will perform duty on Christmas and Quaid-e-Azam Day while the remaining 14,000 cops would be deployed on New Year night," the AIG said, adding that all available resources including CCTV cameras and metal detectors are being utilized for the security of sensitive places like important roads, banks and recreational places.
Prominent among the participants of the meeting were AIG IAB Azhar Hameed Kokhar, AIG CTD Punjab Muhammad Tahir Rai, AIG Special Branch Punjab Zaeem Iqbal Sheikh, DIG SPU Umer Sheikh, DIG Legal Jawad Ahmad Dogar and DIG Headquarters Syed Khurram Ali.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2019