HYDERABAD, Jan 7 Current wave of terror and different spy agency information about arrival of suicide bombers in the city seemed to have affected turnout of people, apart from mourners, in Majalis and mourning processions of Muharramul Harram.

Although ninth of tenth of Muharramul Harram has set-in and no unpleasant incident has been reported from any part of the district till filing of this report on Wednesday night. The usual hustle bustle on the roads remained completely missing.

There has always been a huge turnout of people in the Gul Shah`s Mehndi on 7th of Muharramul Harram in Khokhar Mohallah where people from other districts of Sindh also arrive but for the last couple of years its not seeing that rush of people which used to be its hallmark.

Even mourners seemed to be taking precautions in view of recent appeals and requests of district police authorities. “I have been seeing this Mehndi as part of my duty and normally 20,000 to 25,000 people always turn up there. But on Monday I think around 7,000 had turned up”, said a police official, currently serving in police`s district intelligence bureau.

For the past few days information has been communicated to police authorities that suicide bombers have arrived in the city and such a leak also alerted police officers who again reviewed their security arrangements. “In one such information even the facial appearance of the bomber had been disclosed”, said another police officer.

But, then the reason of cold is there as well. Until recently the roads used to remain completely blocked with pedestrians and other sort of transport but now for the last couple of years no such activity is seen as a result of terror wave that has shaken the country in the recent past.

The information of suicide bomber had almost panicked senior police hierarchy on Monday night. Police were asked to ensure suspension of proceedings of mourning procession (Jamatiyo ka pir) that emerged from Tando Agha and it marches for 24 hours on its traditional routes before culminating at the said place. But then police handled it calmly. “You know tempers run high in such gatherings”, said a source.

On the other hand people seemed to have lost interest in setting up of sabeels thanks to sky-rocketing price-hike of milk and items. Such sabeels where people offer water and soft-drinks to people, including mourners are nowhere to be seen. Their number has dropped significantly as well. Only some traditional sabeels are being set-up.

As far as security issues are concerned, Hyderabad police are catering to security cover needs of different mourning processions by seeking reserve police force from Sindh Reserve Police (SRP). According to DPO Hyderabad, around 700 police personnel were sought from SRP but 610 were provided, showing a deficit of 350 policemen. Routine work of police stations in the district has come to a halt as entire force is engaged in Muharram duty.

“We have increased duty hours of our force, currently engaged in security duty”, said a senior police official. Yet, he said, endeavours are under way to fill the gaps as far as security is concerned. He said that he had a confirmed receipt of a spy information about suicide bomber`s arrival.

Unprecedented security was witnessed on Tuesday in Tando Jehaniya where mourners performed matam on fire (aag ka matam).

Each mourner and onlooker were searched by Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) officials and a walk-through-gate was also placed there. It was never seen there in the recent past.

The organises of central procession of 10th Muharram have expressed satisfaction over security arrangements in the city.