The city police have made elaborate security arrangements for the nine-day Dasara Utsavams which begin on Tuesday, with as many as 3,700 police personnel being deployed for bandobust.
Over 10 lakh devotees are expected at the Sri Durga Malleswaraswamy Varla Devasthanam atop Indrakeeladri during the nine-day festivities.
Personnel drawn from the civil police, Armed Reserve, Andhra Pradesh Special Police, and the intelligence wing will be stationed at specified points.
Keeping in view the stampede at Rajahmundry during the Pushkarams, the police are taking no chances and are taking steps to prevent stampedes at the bathing ghats and in the queue lines.
“We are expecting heavy pilgrim rush during the festivities, which also coincides with the capital foundation stone laying ceremony in Guntur district.
Additional sniffer dog squads have been requisitioned from the CID and Intelligence Wing”
City Police Commissioner D. Gautam Sawang told The Hindu on Monday. As many as 20 DSPs, 87 CIs, 150 SIs, 316 head constables, 1,418 police constables, 1,100 home guards and 70 women constables drawn from all over the State would be deployed for the utsavams. Round-the-clock security will be provided on the highway, temple and the bathing ghats in three shifts.
In all, five queue lines have been arranged for the devotees, of which one would be exclusively for the VIPs.
“Expert swimmers will be positioned at the bathing ghats, which have been barricaded with meshes. We request the devotees to cooperate with the staff to prevent any untoward incidents. ,” Mr. Sawang said.
Crime parties
Instructions have been given to the police personnel to be polite with the devotees. Adequate rest would be given to those on night duty besides provision of food and accommodation.
Personnel from the crime department will keep a tab on criminals, thieves and snatchers to prevent thefts and chain snatchings. Special parties will patrol the railway and the bus stations.
Traffic curbs will be in place and motorists have been requested to follow instructions of the police to prevent traffic jams.
3,700 police force, 115 CC Cameras and expert swimmers positioned
