RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government has decided to deploy 14 companies of the army - each consisting of 150 personnel - in Rawalpindi to maintain peace during Muharram.

Nine people were killed and public and private properties damaged during sectarian clashes on Ashura last year.

Under a security plan for Muharram this year, 300 close circuit TV (CCTV) cameras will be installed on the traditional route of the Ashura procession from Imambargah Qadeemi to Jamia Masjid Road via Raja Bazaar. The cameras will be connected with a command and control room to help in checking their theft. Last year, more than six cameras installed in Raja Bazaar were stolen after the sectarian violence.

Police told to form ‘core management teams’ to maintain peace

The City District Government Rawalpindi (CDGR) had recommended to the home department to ban pillion riding in the district from Muharram 1 to 11. However, the provincial government has planned to impose the ban from Muharram 6 to 11.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the provincial cabinet’s cub-committee on Muharram security arrangements held at the commissioner office here with home minister Shuja Khanzada in the chair.

The minister said foolproof security arrangements would be ensured for the maintenance of peace and harmony during Muharram.

He said the elected representatives should play their role in helping the administration and the police maintain an atmosphere of religious harmony and brotherhood.

The government would provide all possible resources to the district administration and the police. He said effective steps would also be taken to ensure the misuse of loudspeakers, elimination of wall chalking and hate material.

The minister added that members of the peace committees and renowned Ulema from all schools of thought should remain present during the Azadari processions to ensure religious harmony.

Minister for Labour Raja Ashfaq Sarwar said land-line communication system would be ensured for coordination on all the important points of the routes of processions.

Chief Secretary Naveed Akram Cheema said no slackness or negligence would be tolerated in connection with the arrangements for maintaining peace and tranquility during the month.

Home Secretary Azam Suleman said the use of loudspeaker within legal parameters would be allowed besides ensuring restrictions on the display of arms and elimination of literature causing sectarian hatred.

Commissioner Zahid Saeed and RPO Akhtar Hayat Lalika briefed the meeting about the security arrangements.

Meanwhile, the home department has directed the divisional police chiefs to constitute ‘core management teams’ at the police station level to ensure peace during Muharram. The decision was taken after the provincial government learnt that lack of coordination among the police, the district administration and the public representatives was one of the reasons behind the sectarian violence in Raja Bazaar on Ashura last year.

The core management teams would consist of officials of the district administration, police, notables of the respective areas and public representatives.

The teams will hold meetings with the divisional and district peace committees on a regular basis to ensure peace in Muharram.

The home department also directed the police to immediately summon and warn religious leaders who usually delivered objectionable speeches against other groups.

“Entry of all those religious leaders involved in delivering hate speeches will be banned,” regional police officer Akhtar Omer Hayat Laleka told Dawn.

He said the police would be making all-out efforts to maintain peace during Muharram.

According to sources, a camp station will be established at the CIA centre in Raja Bazaar to closely monitor the Muharram processions.

All the elected members of provincial and national assemblies have been directed to remain present in their respective constituencies to keep coordination with the religious leaders.

Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2014