An elaborate security plan has been drawn up for Thirunallar near Karaikal in connection with the ‘Sani Peyarchi’ festival on December 19 (Tuesday).
Anticipating a huge turnout of devotees, the Puducherry police have geared for the event mobilising manpower and deploying chain of surveillance cameras as part of the comprehensive security measure.
Sani peyarchi is being observed marking the transit of Lord Saneeswara (Saturn) from Vrichigam rasi to Dhanusu rasi this time. The temple authorities have arranged special archana and abhishekam besides veda parayanam and Devaram at the shrine.
Nearly 1,500 police personnel would be deployed. Around 150 plainclothesmen would be deployed. Two dedicated control rooms have been opened — one at the temple and the other at Nalankulam, the Senior Superintendent of Police, Karaikal District V. J. Chandran told The Hindu on Sunday.
The Puducherry police would deploy 350 surveillance cameras — 200 in the temple and its vicinity and 150 elsewhere in the town — to keep a vigil, he said.
Drones to be deployed
This time around the police have planned to make use of two or three drones fitted with cameras as additional security measure.
One of the drones would be deployed to cover the Nalankulam, Dr. Chandran said. Seven watch towers have been erected — four around the Nalankulam and three at the northern and eastern side of the temple. Mr. Chandran said the police anticipated about five lakh to six lakh people on Tuesday.
Anti-sabotage teams would be positioned at vital points.
