Hyderabad Police Commissioner Sajjanar reviews security arrangements ahead of Moharram

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Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar on Friday directed all government departments to work in coordination to ensure the smooth and peaceful conduct of the historic Bibi-ka-Alam Mataam procession during Moharram.

Chairing a high-level coordination meeting at the Salar Jung Museum Auditorium, the Commissioner reviewed security, traffic and civic arrangements with religious leaders, public representatives and officials from various government departments.

The procession will commence from the Bibi-ka-Alam Ashoor Khana in Dabeerpura and pass through Etebar Chowk, Kotla Alijah, Panjesha, Miralam Mandi, Charminar, Gulzar Houz, Purani Haveli and Darulshifa before concluding at Masjid-e-Ilahi in Chaderghat.

To manage the large number of devotees expected to participate, police will implement a comprehensive traffic diversion plan and provide designated parking facilities. Additional police platoons and Rapid Action Force personnel will be deployed along the route, while She Teams and Task Force teams will maintain surveillance to ensure the safety of women and other participants.

Special attention was also given to the welfare and safety of the elephant that traditionally forms a part of the procession. Officials were instructed to ensure the animal arrives in the city well in advance to receive adequate rest. Volunteers will be required to maintain a safe buffer zone around the elephant, while a veterinary team from the Nehru Zoological Park equipped with emergency medication will remain on standby throughout the event.

The entire procession route will be monitored through CCTV cameras from the Integrated Command and Control Centre in Banjara Hills by a joint team of police and government officials.

Responding to concerns raised by representatives of the Shia community, the Commissioner assured that issues relating to road repairs, hanging electricity wires, drinking water supply and sanitation would be addressed in coordination with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corpora