A contingent of 471 police officers and personnel will be deployed across the district to provide security to the health workers participating in the anti-polio campaign.
This comprehensive security plan has been implemented by SSP Thatta Farooq Ahmed Bijarani on the directives of IG Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon and DIG Hyderabad Tariq Razzaq Dharejo to ensure the protection of vaccination teams starting from Monday.
In a statement, SSP Bijarani confirmed that polio workers will perform their duties under foolproof security arrangements, and will work completely under the police’s security cordon throughout the campaign.
All Sub-Divisional Police Officers (SDPOs) and Station House Officers (SHOs) have been directed to implement a detailed security strategy in their respective areas. Their responsibilities include deploying police personnel directly with polio teams, ensuring a swift response to any issue, conducting patrols and blockades, and maintaining close liaison with the civil administration.
SSP Bijarani has ordered that field commanders will regularly brief their personnel, emphasizing the sensitive nature of the duty and the utmost importance of protecting polio workers. He ordered the deployment of maximum available personnel to provide complete protection and ensure security “at all costs.”
A central control room has been established during the campaign, and all field officers are required to remain in constant contact and to immediately report any potential untoward situation.
The SSP clarified that any kind of negligence or carelessness during the campaign will be unacceptable. He termed the anti-polio campaign an important national duty in which the police force plays a role of utmost importance.
The officers were further instructed to ensure the safety of the teams at every location, keep a close watch on suspicious activities and individuals, and to remain with the health workers until the conclusion of the campaign.