KARACHI: In order to maintain peace during the Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain tomorrow, 5,313 policemen (including 18 SPs & 43 DSPs) would be deployed in the Metropolis.
Cellular phone service would remain suspended while there would be a ban on pillion riding and display of arms. Walk-through gates at half a dozen entry points to the Chehlum procession have been installed. Moreover, the procession would be monitored by mean of CCTV cameras.
There will be a ban on assembly of five or more people not associated with the Chehlum procession (for which too permission had been taken from concerned authorities). Playing as well as possessing of audio or video containing provocative speeches and initiating sectarian hatred has also been banned.
Officers have been directed to supervise their subordinates and not to leave their designated spot of duty till next orders. It had also been remarked in the past that due to mismanagement of the logistics personnel policemen on duty were not provided food and water that ultimately results into lack of energy, attention and concentration. Hence strict directions for timely provision of food to the policemen deployed for security duty have been given.
Chehlum: In the Islamic world loss of a dear one is mourned for forty days. Similarly 40th day of the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain is observed all over the world, particularly by the members of Shia community. Some 45 million people go to Karbala in Iraq where the historic skirmish took place.
Hazrat Imam Hussain’s caravan of 70 people was intercepted some distance from Kufa and was forced to head north to camp at Karbala where the battle was fought on 10th of Islamic month Muharram in 61AH between the Yazid’s forces and the group led by Hazrat Imam Hussain. The martyrdom is reckoned as a symbol how one could sacrifice life for the sake of principle.
News Pakistan