Post News Network
Puri: The police and district administration claimed Saturday adequate security arrangements were made to avoid any untoward incident during the festival.
DGP Sanjeev Marik said, ‘‘We have made adequate security arrangements to help the devotees so that they can have a hassle-free darshan of the gods during the festival. Special security arrangements have been made inside the temple, and along the Puri coast.”
The police administration has tightened its belts to prevent terrorist attacks and dedicated teams would take care of such threats, he added.
A number of personnel, meanwhile, were spotted inside the cordon area of the chariots and at places along the Grand Road. The fire brigade personnel were deputed to control fire, stampede and other volunteers worked in tandem to make the Rath Yatra a grand success.
According to the police, around 10,000 personnel have been deployed in the temple city to take care of crimes and ensure safety of the visitors. The district administration had opened a 24×7 security arrangement for the visitors.
The fire and disaster response teams were posted across the city and along the beach. ‘‘We were prepared to receive at least 15 lakh pilgrims for the yatra. Our trained manpower helped people in navigation and those who needed them, said Sushant Kumar Sahoo, in-charge of Sea Beach Disaster Response team.
Restrictions imposed by the administration across the city disappointed many devotees who flocked the city to have a glimpse of the Trinity. A number of people who moved close to the barricades of chariots wanted to enter the cordon area despite police opposition. Many devotees saddened by curbs broke down and pleaded with the cops to help them enter the cordoned area.
