The police are on their toes to prevent crime during the ongoing annual festival of the Our Lady of Health Basilica at Velankanni.
Anticipating a constant entry and exit of pilgrims in hundreds and thousands all through the 11 days until September 8 when the festival will culminate with the lowering of Our Lady’s flag, the police department is on the lookout for trouble-mongers with a huge deployment of around 2,500 personnel.
Frequent announcements are being made through the public address system in Tamil cautioning pilgrims to remain vigilant against criminals. The police have advised the pilgrims who come on foot from long distances in groups to take turns to sleep so as to safeguard their baggage and belongings. The police also discourage children from wearing jewellery.
Despite installing several CCTV cameras, the police department is wary of pickpockets from other districts descending and mingling with the crowd in the attire of pilgrims. Since pilgrims come from various parts of the country for the festival, particularly in large numbers from Kerala and Goa, the shrine authorities on their part, through their website, have advised visitors to take care of their belongings, especially when they sleep in the open air at night.
They have also urged the pilgrims not to believe in rumours and false information.
Both, the police as well as the shrine authorities have also cautioned pilgrims against bathing in the sea or the river, but the caution seemingly has no effect and a large number of devotees throng the beach to have a dip.
The Velankanni Town Panchayat has stationed a rescue team round-the-clock to keep vigil at the beach.