ISLAMABAD: The police in Rawalpindi have devised a security plan to avoid any untoward situation on the eve of the Christmas festival, announcing it would deploy 3,200 police for the purpose.
Under the plan, all 159 churches across the district have been divided into three categories and personnel, including commandos, would be deployed to provide security to visitors.
According to a spokesman for the police, no one would be allowed to park vehicles near churches. Walk-through gates and close-circuit television cameras will be installed at the entrance and the visitors would be checked through metal detectors.
The security petrol at public places such as parks would be made more effective, he said. Security had also been heightened at the entry and exit points of the city, and special checking was ordered for the occasion.
He said the chief of city police, Syed Shehzad Nadeem, had directed the force to ensure effective patrolling in their respective localities. Plain-clothed and well-equipped policemen would perform duties near churches and public places, he added.
The security of the churches would be monitored through CCTV cameras. In addition, a dedicated control room would be set up where representatives of all departments would jointly work to keep an eye on security.
Snipers would also be deployed on the rooftops of different buildings, he added.
The City Traffic Police (CTP) would make arrangements for parking vehicles for the visitors of the churches and the parking lots would be set up at least 200 feet away from the buildings.
