A total of 1,355 police personnel will be deployed in the district during the Makaravilakku festival at Sabarimala Ayyappa temple, District Superintendent of Police George Varghese has said. This includes nine Deputy Superintendents of Police, 12 Circle Inspectors, 182 Sub-Inspectors and 1,092 civil police officers, including 60 women police officers.
Two police squads will be deployed at Kumily and Mundakkayam for traffic control. Vehicles will be checked at all check posts and facilities to provide tokens will be set up at Kumily and Vandiperiyar.
Barricades will be erected at Uppupara, Parunthumpara and Panchalimedu where pilgrims gather to witness the Makaravilakku.
Mr. Varghese said that loudspeaker announcement facilities would be set up at Pulmedu, Kozhikkanam and Sathram. Only one-way traffic would be allowed at Spensor junction, Sathram and Vallakkadu. The ban on plastic in forest areas would be strictly implemented.
Fire and Rescue Services’ team and medical teams would be deployed. Oxygen parlours and facilities to supply drinking water would also be set up. Police aid-posts had already been set up at Sathram and Pulmedu, he said.
Arrangements would be made in association with various departments and as per the directives of the Commission appointed by the government.
