IGP reviews security arrangements on Ashura

KARACHI: Inspector General of Sindh Police, Mushtaq Ahmed Shah was told in a report about Muharram security arrangements that 95 mourning processions and 515 majalis would be organised on the occasion of Ashura in the city.

The report said extra-ordinary security measures have been taken across the province for Muharram processions and majalis.

It said Karachi has been divided into different sectors in accordance with sensitiveness of the areas and officials of DSP and SSP ranks have been assigned as in-charge to look after security task in their respective sectors.

Temporary Crisis Management Cells (TCMC) has been set up under the Crisis Response Team at Naumaish Chowrangi, Mama Parsi School and Kharadar.

The officials have been assigned to supervise security arrangements as SP Headquarters East, Shafi Rind would look after the area from Nishter Park to Tibet Centre, SP Court Police, and Junaid Inamuddin from Tibet Center to Denso Hall.

Col. (Retd), Abdul Wahid Khan has been nominated as Commanding Officer to look after the situation from Denso Hall to Hussainia Iranian Imambargah, the report said.

Additional IG Karachi Police, Ghulam Shabbir Sheikh said 7000 police personnel have been assigned duties at main procession, majlis and Sham-e-Ghareeban while a total of 30,000 personnel are being deployed for Muharram security arrangements.

Mushtaq Ahmed Shah has directed the police to remain at high alert and no personnel would be allowed to leave his point of duty without prior permission of the Incharge of the Sector.

He also directed to make ample arrangements for protection of those mourners who would return after attending majalis and processions on the day of Ashura.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011