Jan 9 explosions in Lahore : New security plan for theatres,

[RescueRanger]

• Police officials say cinema, cultural centre owners to be asked to install CCTVs and searchlights, ensure emergency exits and proper firefighting system on the premises

By Imran Asghar

RAWALPINDI: A plan to revise security arrangements for theatres, cinemas and cultural centres in the town is on the drawing board.

Rawalpindi police, together with other law-enforcement agencies and the City District Government Rawalpindi (CDGR), are putting the finishing touches to the plan in view of the January 9 Lahore theatre bombing, it’s learnt.

Police officials told Daily Times that the Lahore terror strikes had shocked and alarmed local art lovers and artists, and theatres, cinemas and cultural centres could record an all-time low turnout if their confidence was not restored at once.

They said such circumstances had made police to revise security arrangements for entertainment and cultural facilities in the city.

According to them, police and its special branch have collected ‘structural data’ of Cinepax, Ceros, Moti Mehal, Khursheed, Plaza and POF cinemas, and the exercise is underway at Rialto Theatre and Rawalpindi Arts Council.

The officials said owners of cinemas and cultural centres were likely to be asked for installation of closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs), and searchlights at entry points of their premises.

Police, they said, will provide them with walkthrough gates, metal detectors and sniffer dogs and ensure emergency exits and proper firefighting system at these facilities.

The officials said visitors would be asked to park cars away from entertainment and cultural houses and that tight security would be put in place for such parking lots.

They said deployment of more than five security personnel including women at cinema and theatre entrances was also part of the revised security plan.

These personnel will not allow visitors entry into these buildings without body search, and entry and exits doors except emergency exists will remain closed until events/shows are over, they said.

The officials said security personnel would scan entertainment and art facilities with the help of explosive detectors on a daily basis before visitors’ arrival.

They said police would enhance security of artists, adding popular theatre artists will be asked to hire private guards.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan