Muharram security: ‘Incitement to violence will not be allowed’

The DCO convened a meeting to discuss arrangements for Muharram.

LAHORE:

The city government will utilise all its resources to maintain law and order during Muharram, District Coordination Officer Captain (r) Muhammad Usman said on Monday.

He was chairing a meeting at the Town Hall to review security arrangements during Muharram. Senior officials of the district government, law enforcement agencies and police attended the meeting. Religious leaders Tauqeer Baba, Khawaja Basharat Hussain, Agha Abbas Kazmi, Agha Shah Hussain Qazilbash, Ali Imran Alvi, Zulfiqar Haider Naqvi and Ali Raza were also present.

The DCO said all departments will be put on high alert during the month. He directed heads of departments to complete all necessary arrangements to provide security at majalis and processions during Muharram.



Usman said foolproof arrangements would be ensured to prevent any terrorist activity in the city. He passed instructions to all town municipal officers regarding lighting, patch work, installation of manhole covers, traffic management, parking and removal of hanging electrical wires. He told the TMOs to maintain close liaison with religious institutions that had licences to hold majalis and Muharram processions in the first 10 days of Muharram.

He ordered a strict crackdown against wall chalking and banners carrying hate material. “No one would be allowed to incite sectarian violence or sentiments anywhere in the city,” he said.

For religious organisations seeking permission to set up sabeels (distribute water and milk among mourners), the DCO said only those organisations that were given permission to set up sabeels during the previous years would be granted permission this year. This decision was taken on the request of representatives of the Shiite community at the meeting.

The religious leaders discussed the problems they were facing regarding patch work, parking and traffic management among others. The DCO directed relevant departments to address their concerns on emergent basis. They thanked the district administration for cooperating with them on security arrangements during Muharram.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 14^th, 2014.