The administration has forbidden holding of fairs and warned that violators will be arrested. — Photo by AP

PESHAWAR The administration has forbidden holding of fairs here and warned that violators will be arrested.

'The law and order situation has deteriorated to such an alarming proportion that gathering of people cannot be allowed, especially in congested city areas,' said Town-I Nazim Shaukat Ali on Friday.

Militants, he said, had already hit public places and taken lives of hundreds of innocent people, including women and children, and allowing holding of fairs on Eid would not be a wise decision.

He said in the past people used to arrange such recreational programmes in the open air and visited parks without any fear but now the environment had changed and the people themselves should take care of their families.

Referring to the ban on cattle markets in the city areas, the nazim said it was a compulsion because the government could not afford taking risks.

Meanwhile, police say they have adopted concrete security measures for Eid in the provincial capital.

Peshawar SSP (coordination) Mohammad Alam Shinwari told Dawn on Friday most of police personnel had already been deployed in different areas and at checkpoints to check movement of suspected people and vehicles.

He said police would be deployed at all mosques, imambargahs and grounds where Eid prayer would be offered.

He called upon the people to cooperate with law-enforcement agencies in their efforts to maintain law and order.

Another official said leaves of many policemen had been cancelled and they had been directed to be present on their duties.

Police, he said, would thoroughly check movement of Afghan refugees and those who failed to produce valid documents for their stay would be arrested.

He said police had been directed to plug entry points connecting Peshawar with the tribal areas so that militants could not enter the settled areas.

The official said additional security personnel had been deployed at residences of the VVIPs.

KOHAT The regional administration has deployed 5,000 security personnel at important places and imposed ban on Eid festivals and music shows after intelligence agencies declared the Kohat division as most sensitive.

Kohat region DIG Abdullah Khan cancelled the leaves of policemen and directed special security arrangements to be made at picnic points in Kohat, Hangu and Karak, including Tanda Dam, Company Bagh, Zebi Dam, Khushalgarh Rest House and Gandiali Dam.

Strict checking of people has been ordered at sensitive installations, mosques and imambargahs throughout the region.

The DIG ordered district police officers to enhance patrolling on main highways.
Frontier Constabulary personnel have also been deployed along with the police force to ensure security.

MANSEHRA Police have finalised a security plan here to avert any eventuality on Eidul Azha in the district.

Sources said Eid vacation of policemen had been cancelled in the district and a heavy contingent of police would be displayed at mosques during Eid congregations, entry points of the city and public places.