Police pull up socks for Raiwind religious congregation

LAHORE The City police on Monday unveiled a comprehensive security plan for the annual Raiwind Tablighi Ijtama, said to be the second largest religious congregation in the world after the Haj. Hundreds of thousands of Muslims would converge in the suburb of the Punjab capital to attend the gathering. Muslims from all over the world including India, Britain, United States and Saudi Arabia take part in the congregation. Like previous years, the Jamaat management will also make its own security arrangements by deploying hundreds of its guards at different points of the venue. The Raiwind congregation will be held in two sessions. The first session will be held from November 17 to 20 while second session will commence on November 24 and concluding prayers will be held on November 27. CCPO Ahmad Raza Tahir presided over a high-level meeting at his office on Monday to review the security arrangements for the forthcoming Ijtama and the holy month of Moharram. Tahir said that the police would remain on high-alert during Raiwind Tablighi Ijtama and Moharram-ul-Haram. He said that foolproof security during the holy month of Moharram-ul-Haram would be ensured at all cost, whereas the elements arranging any program without properly informing the Police before hand would be arrested and an FIR would be lodged against them. The CCPO said that a comprehensive security plan has been chalked out after the consultation with leaders belonging to various schools of thought and 184 potential trouble points had been identified in the city. He directed that the parking lots be established at a considerable distance, preferably 200 meter away from the venue of Majalis and precessions. CCPO said police officers and more than 12 thousand police Jawans would provide security cover to Raiwind Tablighi Ijtama and during Muharram-ul-Haram at 4,000 Majalis and 640 processions, while armed personals would also be deputed to provide security to different programs to be held on daily basis. He said that 134 mobile squad, 85 motor bikes, 75 cars, 11 cars of Elite Force would also be deployed on this occasion. Similarly, Lahore Police force would provide security cover to 297 Imam Bargahas and 787 Mosques falling on the routes of procession. Earlier, talking to a 10-members delegation of Shia Ulema, the CCPO directed the police to ensure implementation of comprehensive community policing and ordered all SPs to keep a close liaison with the notables and public representatives of the area for which regular meetings be held. Meanwhile, the CCPO appealed to the Ulema to restrict use of loud speakers to the worship places and ensure in their speeches emphasis on peace, unity and solidarity among the people. He said scourge of terrorism can only be combated with national unity and solidarity, as anti-country elements are pursuing nefarious agenda of making various segments of the society to fight against each other. He informed that crises management centers would be established in the city, which would function around the clock, while a special control room would also be setup in the office of the CCPO for coordination between various agencies. Ahmad Raza Tahir said that code of conduct would be strictly implemented during Moharram-ul-Haram and 1068 members of District Peace Committee would remain present on the routes of processions and Majalis especially at sensitive places. Similarly, strict enforcement of Loud Speaker Ordinance would be ensured, the CCPO added. He said that all entry and exit points of the places of Majalis will be covered and roof top deployment will be made at Imam Bargahs, places of Majalis and route of the processions.

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