Though no specific intelligence input has been received on any terror threat to the Dasara celebrations, the Mysore City Police have scaled up security in view of the general alert sounded by the Centre, in the wake of international terror organisation Al Qaeda’s reported plans to start operations in the Indian subcontinent.
“A general alert has been sounded across the country by the Centre,” said City Police Commissioner M.A. Saleem on Saturday.
Apart from deploying more than 5,000 civic policemen, 1,200 home guards, 26 companies of the Karnataka Special Reserve Police, and 12 platoons each of DAR and CAR, the City police will also deploy two companies each of Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Quick Response Teams (QRT) and one platoon of Internal Security Division commandos.
“It is the for the first time that security has been taken to such high levels,” Mr. Saleem admitted.
While two unmanned aerial vehicles will hover over Mysore palace and the procession route during the Jamboo Savari, one helicopter will be deployed for surveillance over other sensitive installations in the city.
FriskingVisitors to the inaugural function atop Chamundi Hills on September 25 will be thoroughly frisked for not only weapons, but also black bands and inks.
Police officials said the intensive frisking is to keep at bay opponents of the State government’s decision to invite Jnanpith Award-winner Girish Karnad to inaugurate the ten-day-long festivities.
Visitors planning to watch the Jamboo Savari procession from the Mysore palace premises will also be frisked at the entrances.
CCTV camera surveillance will be carried out at Mysore palace, Chamundi Hills, Mysore zoo and other places of tourist importance during the festival.
