In view of the expected large assembly of people from the Sikh community, demanding the 459-year-old Gyan Godri Gurudwara at Har Ki Pauri to be handed over them and Kartik Purnima Snan on Wednesday, the district administration and local police have pulled up their socks.
Adequate measures are claimed to have been taken to maintain law and order in the district. Police sources said that they are extra cautious this time in the wake of the secret intelligence issuing a country-wide alert over terror threat.
A review meeting involving the district police officials and the Senior Superintendent of Police was held at Rishikul Ayurvedic college on Tuesday morning.
Speaking to The Pioneer, SSP Senthil Avudai Krishna Raj S said, "We are taking no chances in view of the recent terrorist attacks on France and Mali. lakhs of people are expected to congregate at Har ki Pauri on the occasion of Kartik Purnima Snan slated for Wednesday. We have taken fool-proof measures to ensure security. The whole city would be cordoned off."
Speaking on the challenges the cops are likely to face, SSP said, "It is a challenge to differentiate the common pilgrims from those who would come to raise demand for Gyan Godri Gurudwara site being handed over to the Sikh community. In view of the sensitive nature of things, we have instructed the cops to be vigilant. The whole Mela area has been divided into eight zones and 32 sectors. From 4 pm on Tuesday, the cops shall take their positions. Any personnel leaving his point of duty shall hand over the task to another beforehand and special attention would be given to the elderly pilgrims. "
The district magistrate Harbans Singh Chugh said: "The local intelligence at Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi temples is alert. From the crowd management point of view, monitoring of closed circuit cameras at the sensitive points like bus stand, railway station and ashrams will be done by the special personnel."
Besides, close vigilance would be kept at and around the parking zones. To avoid any accident, barricading would be put around the under- construction bridges at Har Ki Pauri.
The CO traffic Prakash Deoli from PAC 41 Wing said that 10 COs, 19 SHO and SO, 100 SI, nine women SI, 95 head constables, 474 constables, 89 women constables, four traffic sub inspectors, 66 traffic constables and 276 recruits traffic control from PAC 41 Wing have been deputed to ensure smooth conduct of the fair. This aside, dogs squad and fire brigade personnel have been included in the security bandobast, said CO traffic.