PESHAWAR - The city police have chalked out a comprehensive plan to control the menace of aerial firing on Chand Raat and Eid-ul-Fitr in the provincial capital and have decided to take strict action against violators.
Police sources said high-ranking police officers have been directed to keep close liaison with people and with social and political organisations to run a campaign against aerial firing in their respective areas so as to create awareness among the people about the negative effects of the practice.
A senior police officer told this scribe that all the sub-divisional police officers and SHOs have been directed to prevent aerial firing on Chand Raat and Eidul Fitr.
The concerned SHO would be held responsible in case of loss of lives on Chand Raat and Eid due to aerial firing.
According to the plan, over 5,000 police personnel would perform duties in shifts during Eid days in the provincial capital.
Women police personnel and male police personnel will also be deployed in plain clothes to monitor the movement of customers and check aerial firing in different bazaars.
He said close circuit cameras have been installed in important places and locations for identification of elements involved in aerial firing.
During the Juma prayers special circular has been issued to prayer leaders of various mosques to appraise the masses regarding the negative effects of aerial firing. The prayer leader has addressed special ceremonies in today Friday speeches to inform the masses regarding the government decisions.
The official sought the cooperation of media, academicians, ulema and civil society against aerial firing.
He said Islam was a religion of peace and brotherhood whereas aerial firing was against the teachings of Islam as it could result in loss of precious human lives besides spreading fear among people. The Ulema have been requested to highlight the issue in Friday congregation, he said.
It may be recalled here that in the previous year of Chand Raat several persons has been injured as a result of blind firing in the city. So it is in the society’s interest to do away with the menace as it could have devastating effects on the lives of people.