Strict security in Peshawar, Hangu for Muharram

* Policemen deployed at important places to maintain law and order

Staff Report

PESHAWAR: Police have put in place tight security arrangements to ensure peace during Muharram.

Police said security had been tightened in the city with the law-enforcement agencies closely monitoring people and vehicles.

Police said pillion riding, use of tinted glasses in vehicles, and the carrying and display of weapons had been banned for the month. Also, leaves of local police officials have been cancelled.

According to them, police personnel have been deployed at the city’s important places, besides installation of closed-circuit cameras there to keep an eye on criminals and militants.

Police said law-enforcement agencies had also been directed to thoroughly check vehicles at the city’s entry points. They said a large number of law-enforcers would be deployed on the Ashura procession routes. They said the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) had been directed to ensure uninterrupted electric supply to imambargahs during Muharram.

Meanwhile, the Hangu administration and police claim they have made elaborate security arrangements in the district for Muharram. They said the Hangu city would remain sealed during the month, while paramilitary forces would stay deputed on mountains and other sensitive places to maintain law and order.

District Police Officer (DPO) Abdul Rashid Khan said that 13 people including two militants were arrested during a search operation on Sunday.

He said Afghan refugees would not be allowed to enter Hangu during Muharram, adding a ban had been slapped on taking out rallies in the district. The DPO said additional police force had been deployed to ensure security of mosques, imambargahs and other sensitive places.

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