CHAKWAL: Forty-three hardliner clerics have been banned from entering Chakwal while gagging orders have been issued against 10 local ulema as the district administration finalised security arrangements for Muharram processions and majalis.

As many as 247 processions and 832 majalis would be held across the district. Police sources told Dawn that out of the 247 processions 21 had been listed in A category due to their sensitivity while 17 placed in B category. Similarly, four majalis have also been put in A category with one placed in the B category.

For the first time in Chakwal, all the processions and majalis would be monitored through the digital technology. An operation room equipped with digital technology has been established at the police headquarters.

“All vulnerable establishments such as educational institutions, imambargahs, mosques, banks, buildings of security forces have been geo-tagged through the digital technology,” District Police Officer (DPO) Mohammad Haroon Joiya told Dawn.

He said Chakwal was the second district in Punjab after Lahore where an operation room equipped with modern technology had been established. The operation room was formally inaugurated by Regional Police Officer Wisal Fakhar Sultan Raja on Saturday.

“All programmes of Muharram would be monitored in one room. With the introduction of geo-tagging not a single police official would be able to play truant.” The DPO said digital service cards of the police personnel had also been issued which carried quick response codes. “With the issuance of new digital service cards, nobody would be able to misuse service cards,” the DPO said.

Police officials have been trained specially to operate the operation room.

“One hundred CCTV cameras have been installed while walk-through gates have also been set up at the entrance of the procession routes and majalis,” the DPO said.

On Monday, a security meeting was held at the office of the deputy commissioner. The meeting chaired by DC Dr Omar Jahangir was attended by the DPO, army officers and other officials. Personnel of Pakistan Rangers and the army would be on a high alert to assist the police while additional police personnel have also been called in Chakwal.

Ulema assured of security in Muharram

The newly appointed District Police Officer Attock Ibadat Nisar on Tuesday assured foolproof security to religious leaders of different schools of thought during Muharram.

After taking charge, it was his first meeting with the religious leaders.

He said Muharram is the month of reverence and respect for the Muslims of all schools of thought and that Ulema should promote harmony and tolerance during this month and help maintain peace, and law and order.

He assured that all out security would be provided to majalis and the processions of mourners, and for this purpose a comprehensive plan would be implemented in collaboration with departments concerned and religious scholars and leaders.

He said Ulema from all schools of thought should help the administration in identifying elements promoting religious hatred through provocative speeches and graffiti so that peace and religious harmony could be maintained during Muharram.

The DPO appreciated the district peace committee as it was playing vital role in maintaining religious harmony.

He said to facilitate all processions and majalis a comprehensive plan had been chalked out by all tehsil level administrations that would also be implemented in a letter and spirit.

He informed the participants that control rooms at district and tehsil levels would also be established to monitor all religious activities.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2017