Elaborate security measures adopted for Chehlum

KARACHI: Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place on the eve of Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) on Tuesday which is observed across the country with mourning processions taken out in almost every city and town besides holding of Majalis.

Although no such announcement has so far been made by the Interior Ministry, the cellular services are also expected to be suspended in major cities during the hours of procession on Tuesday.

In Rawalpindi, the mourners will take out their procession from Imam Bargah Colonel Maqbool which after moving through its traditional route – Iqbal Road, Fawwara Chowk, Raja Bazar, Purana Qilla and Jamia Masjid Road – culminate at Imam Bargah Qadimi.

As usual, hundreds of containers have been placed to seal the procession routes besides entry and exit points to and from Islamabad have also been blocked.

As many as 6500 security personnel including army men, Rangers and police will stand guard along with routes of the processions and Imam Bargahs in the garrison city. Pillion riding has also been banned for the day and, according to RPO Rawalpindi, CCTV cameras have been installed along the routes of the processions.

The main procession in Islamabad originated from Asna Ashri today and after moving through its traditional route camped at Melody stop where the participants offered Maghribain prayers. The procession will culminate at the point of its origin.

Stringent security measures have been adopted along with the route of the procession with 2000 security personnel including police and commandoes. The route has been made secure with the help of containers and barbed wire.

In Karachi the concerned authorities have finalized the preparations for ensuring a fail-safe security on the occasion of Hazrat Imam Hussain’s (RA) Chehlum. Deployment of army troops has begun at sensitive places while pillion riding has been banned with effect from midnight (Tuesday) for 24 hours. The Sindh government has also forwarded a request to the Interior Ministry seeking a temporary suspension of cellular services in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur and Khairpur.

According to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army will assist the administration in making security arrangements.

The streets and allies leading to the route of the main procession in the metropolis have been sealed with the help of cargo containers. As a security measure, those joining the main procession will be frisked while heavy contingents of Rangers and police are being stationed along the route besides Imam Bargahs and Mosques.

The procession will also be monitored through CCTV cameras.