HYDERABAD, March 25: The DCO has directed authorities concerned to adopt foolproof security measures and ensure peaceful observance of Chehlum of Shuhada-i-Karbala.

DCO Mohammad Hussain Syed was presiding over a meeting here on Thursday regarding arrangements for Chehlum on March 31.

He directed that police pickets be set up at sensitive points and routes of processions to maintain law and order.

He directed the management of the Water and Sanitation Agency, Hyderabad Development Authority, to keep water pumping machines functional and ensure uninterrupted water supply and disposal of sewage so that Azadars did not face problems.

The DCO said the drainage system in low-lying areas was dependant on pumping machines as such the management of Hesco should avoid power shutdowns from March 29 to 31 and make special arrangements for restoration of electricity in case of any breakdown in the city.

He also directed officials of City, Latifabad and Qasimabad taluka municipal administrations to visit sites and ensure routes of mourning processions were cleared.

He said garbage, building materials and encroachments should be removed from routes of mourning processions and open manholes of sewerage lines be covered.

The DCO also directed for early repairs of roads, especially at Sarfaraz Chari.

DPO Ghulam Hyder Jamali said arrangements for maintaining peaceful atmosphere during Chehlum had been completed and members of the peace committee had been taken into confidence in this regard.

He gave an assurance that police pickets would be established at places identified the peace committee.

He expressed satisfaction over religious harmony and brotherhood among people of Hyderabad and hoped that this would be maintained in future too.

City Taluka Nazim Moinuddin Shaikh said the TMA would ensure all facilities to participants of mourning processions.

He also identified some damaged portions of roads and requested for their repairs.

The DCO directed the EDO, works and services, to complete patch work and repair of roads in three days.

Officials of TMAs, revenue, HDA, Wasa, works and communication, Hesco and police attended the meeting.

LUMHS: The the Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences has announced that the MCQ theory programme of final professional MBBS (new course) bi-annual examination 2004 will be held from April 5 to 13 at the LUMHS Jamshoro, Chandka Medical College Larkana and People’s Medical College Nawabshah.