Police plan security cover for Moharram and Durga Puja

Police and district administration are set to launch a survey of Moharram procession routes and the total number of Karbalas in the city. In the survey, security arrangements would be analysed and sensitive points marked, where security needs to be beefed up.

The initiative was an outcome of the meeting which IG Lucknow Zone A Satish Ganesh called on precautionary basis to assess security arrangements during Navratri and Moharram, the dates of which are coinciding this year.

“Special directives have been issued to the SPs and district administration of all the districts falling in Lucknow zone including Lucknow, to scrutinize the procession routes and Karbalas and to assess the security arrangements to be made,” said Ganesh here on Friday.

As per the IG’s directives, the security personnel along with the administrative officials would inspect the procession routes. “It largely includes patrolling on foot. Officers will inspect the route and pen down vulnerable points where security arrangements have to be made during Moharram procession,” said Ganesh.

Similarly, the law enforcers would also inspect the Karbalas physically. “Physical inspection of Karbalas would give an idea to the inspection team about the location of the place that is another vulnerable point during burial of ‘tazias’,” said Ganesh, who has also directed the SPs to prepare the list of at least 5 police stations falling in Shia-dominated localities.

He said meetings with peace committees and taziadaars (those who keep tazia) would also be organised, asking them to assist police in maintaining law and order.

Going by police records, around 2,077 processions are taken out in the city during the month of Moharram. Besides, there are around 12394 taziadaars in the entire city that has around 865 Karbalas.

Ganesh said the officers would also hold meetings with Durga Puja and Ramleela committees. Police records suggest that there are around 6968 processions during Durga Puja and 347 immersion points. Besides, there are 65 Ramlia committees and 72 places where the effigy of Ravan is burnt.