DGP holds 1st meeting on Rath preparations

Bhubaneswar: Odisha DGP Sunil Kumar Bansal on Monday conducted the first preparatory meeting on the proposed security arrangements for the Rath Yatra in Puri, which is scheduled to be held on June 20, at the state police headquarters in Cuttack.
Anticipating a footfall of lakhs of devotees, the DGP asked the police officers to be proactive and step up vigil for the festival. “Personnel from RAF and the CRPF will be positioned in Puri to supplement the state’s security coverage during Rath Yatra,” he said. A statement from the Odisha police stated that senior police officers will be assigned on specific duties like law and order, traffic and crowd management. “Counter-intelligence squads will be formed to prevent any untoward incidents and requisition for bomb disposal squads will also be made. VVIP security and communication arrangements and preparation of a comprehensive plan allotting different channels were also discussed in detail,” the statement added. Police also said that CCTV cameras will be installed at several locations in Puri and patrolling will be stepped up on the beach during the festival.
Elaborate security arrangements will also be made for Nabajauban Darshan on June 19, Bahuda Yatra on June 28, Suna Besha on June 29 and Niladri Bije on July 1.