NAWABSHAH, Jan 6 District Nazim Faryal Talpur has issued orders to impose the Section 144 from first of Muharram in the district to prevent any untoward incident and to maintain public order during the sacred month, and constituted a peace committee comprising members of different religious sects.

An official notification issued here on Sunday said that a tension prevailed between different sects and a breach of the peace and tranquility is feared during Muharram. The district nazim directed that no person, without obtaining a prior permission in writing from the district nazim's office, shall be allowed to form or join assembly of five or more people throughout the district.

Religious meetings held on the premises of imambargahs or mosques are exception. The notification said that an official permit, however, is necessary to hold such gatherings.

The order said that no person shall be allowed to spread rumours and disinformation or make hate speeches to create tension. Display of arms, firecrackers, explosives of any kind and ammunition at public place or use of loudspeaker except for azaan or Friday sermons, playing cassettes of Moulvis and Zakirs whose entry had been banned in the district, pillion riding and vehicles with tinted glasses are forbidden. The order would not apply on the members of armed forces or public servants performing their duties and shall be effective from 1st to 12th Muharram.

District Nazim Faryal Talpur has also constituted a district peace and vigilance committee.

The committee included representatives of all major sects and was assigned a task to promote harmony between different groups and keep an eye on miscreants and to assist the district administration in maintenance of law and order.

The members of the committee represent both Shia and Sunni sects.

Meanwhile, the Nawabshah district chapter of the Jafria Alliance Pakistan had demanded of the government to handover security arrangements of imambargahs and processions to the army and Rangers personnel during Muharram. In a press release issued here, the district president of the Jaffria Alliance, Syed Afzaal Shah, said that due to the recent violent incidents more tight security arrangements were required. He urged the Sindh governor, caretaker chief minister and police chief of Sindh to order foolproof security arrangements and called for the deployment of the army and Rangers at imambargahs and demanded their escorting with mourning processions. He demanded of the government to convene a meeting of religious scholars from each district of Sindh for their suggestions for final arrangements.