The police have finalized a comprehensive strategy to cope with the possible floods in the province as 17,000 policemen would be deployed in the affected districts of the Punjab while additional police force would also be put on alert and could be deployed when and where will be required.
This was stated by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Muhammad Habib-ur-Rehman while presiding over a high-level meeting held at the Central Police Office (CPO) today. Commandant Punjab Constabulary Ahmed Raza Tahir, Additional IG-PHP Khan Baig, DIG (Operations) Punjab Sohail Khan and AIG (Admin) Sohail Akhtar Sukhera attended the meeting.
The meeting reviewed in detail the possible floods situation and arrangements to provide relief to the flood-hit public including identification of affected and sensitive areas, setting up of communication network, armed patrolling to keep strict check on the activities of criminal elements, proper monitoring of embankment, shifting of affected families and livestock to safe places, restoration of traffic system, establishment of relief camps and setting up of control rooms.
The provincial police chief also directed the police officers/officials to assist the local government authorities in their respective areas in order to ensure preventive measures. The IGP directed the police to arrange proper security for the relief camps and also coordinate with the control rooms set up at Irrigation department and Head-works in order to ensure best arrangements for the people in the need of hour.
The meeting also decided that at least 249 wireless operators including 38 Head Constables and 211 Constables, to be equipped with 144 wireless-sets, would be deployed at flood warning posts.
On this occasion, the IGP was informed that 65 special boats of the police department would be handed over to the local authorities in 13 sensitive districts so that maximum people could be evacuated in case of any emergency. At least 31 policemen have been deployed at the Flood Warning Control Room established in Lahore.
The police chief directed the police to remain in close liaison with the irrigation department, local civil authorities, Rescue-1122 and other departments so that the people could be provided best services in case of possible floods.
(Handout No. 220)
Source: Director Public Relations, Punjab Police.
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