Post News Network
Puri, July 14: The state government will mobilise a large number of security personnel for the upcoming Rath Yatra of Srimandir, director general of police (DGP) Sanjeev Marik claimed here Tuesday.
“The security arrangement for this year’s Car Festival will be the biggest in the history of the state. All experienced police personnel in crowd management and security affairs will be deployed in the Holy City during the Yatra,” Marik said.
Altogether 164 platoons of armed police, 14 superintendents of police (SP), 35 additional SP rank officials, 80 deputy superintendents of police, 109 inspectors, 641 sub-inspectors, 500 constables, 78 havildars and 2,570 home guards will be deployed to ensure a smooth Rath Yatra, Marik told the media after reviewing the security arrangements.
District police sources said a five-tier security cover will be in place in the city for the festival. The Indian Coast Guard and Orissa police jointly will patrol the coast. “At least three companies of special operation group (SOG) personnel, three rapid action teams and two special tactical units will be mobilised for the mega event. A few teams of NDRF and ODRAF will also be engaged to meet any eventuality,” the DGP said.
The state police, meanwhile, conducted an orientation programme for the security personnel who will be deployed during the Yatra.
“Only temple servitors and a few security personnel will be allowed to enter Srimandir during the Nabajauban ritual. Servitors and around 2,000 people having Parimanik Darshan tickets will be allowed to go into the temple on the day of Srigundicha Yatra. We will try our best for the timely completion of various rituals including the Pahandi procession,” said Nabakalebara OSD and inspector general of police (operations) Soumendra Priyadarshi.
Security personnel have been advised to carry raincoats with them during their deployment. They have also been directed to contact the police control room, if they come across suspicious objects or persons on the Grand Road, said police ADG (intelligence) Arun Kumar Sarangi.
The railway department, meanwhile, has decided to deploy government railway police (GRP) and railway protection force (RPF) personnel at all stations between Khurda Road and Puri. The GRP and RPF have jointly opened a control room at Puri railway station to oversee the security aspect, additional DGP (railway) Mahendra Pratap said.
