Rawalpindi   -  As many as 8000 well-equipped police officers and cops will provide maximum security to the mourners on daily basis in Muharram in the district.

Entry of 38 firebrand speakers has been banned in the city during Muharram.

“To ensure peace and tranquillity, a peace caravan will patrol in all the tehsils of Rawalpindi,” said City Police Officer (CPO) Muhammad Ahsan Younas at a press briefing here on Monday.

He was flanked by SSP Operations/Acting CTO Rai Mazhar, divisional SPs, SDPOs and SHOs. 

The meeting was also attended by a large number of religious scholars belonging to various schools of thought and ulemas. 

City Police Chief Muhammad Ahsan Younas said he said a media monitoring mechanism was adopted by police in collaboration with other departments to monitor sectarianism posts on social media. 

He said police have launched 157 massive search operations against anti-social elements and terrorists from the district adding that all the routes of processions are being checked by the police along with personnel of other law enforcement agencies to avoid occurrence of any untoward incident during Muharram.

“Police are also holding meetings with ulemas, zakirs and volunteers of all schools of thoughts to ensure foolproof security,” he said. He added a total of 477 processions while 1925 majalis will be held during Muharram in the district. “Police are fully prepared to shield the processions and majalis,” he said.

He said special squads have also been constituted and CCTV cameras installed around routes to keep a vigil on suspicious elements. Police are also taking surety bonds from the house and shop owners living along with routes of processions that no unknown person will stay with them. Those mentioned in fourth schedule are strictly being monitored by the police, said CPO. 

He said patrolling has also been enhanced in the city to maintain law and order. He said all the organizers of mourning processions and majalis have been directed to obey time schedule or else strict action would be taken against them.

Meanwhile, City Traffic Police have finalised a comprehensive plan to facilitate the mourners and other commuters during Muharram, according to a police spokesman. 

As many as 1191 traffic wardens will perform special duty to control traffic, he said adding that all the roads leading towards routes of processions will be blocked by police.