Police are on their toes with fool-proof security being put into place in the Ardh Kumbh Mela area in Haridwar two days ahead of the key snan on the occasion of Somwati Amavasya on Monday. Around 15 lakh pilgrims are expected to turn up to take the holy dip in the holy river. Pilgrims from other States are likely to start pouring in from Sunday evening.
Police are extra cautious in the wake of the recent arrest of the four IS linked terror suspects from Roorkee. “We are taking no chances as far as security of the mela is concerned, said IG (Ardh Kumbh) GS Martolia.
The cops have been asked to identify shop owners and locals at their jurisdictional areas as they would help them in tracking any suspicious persons or any outsider, he added.
He said that police officers and police personnel were also directed to understand the geography of the places where they are deputed without delay. They need to get in touch with local residents and local shopkeepers soon and they would help them in identifying them locals or outsider or any suspects. You should be vigilant at designed place in such a way that you are protecting themselves. Terrorists are eyeing on those areas where police’s presence is minimal or policemen are negligence.
IG Martolia said that security has been beefed up and additional forces have been deployed at crowded places and other important places in the Ardh Kumbh area. The police officer said that temporary police stations have been set up along Railway tracks in demarcated Ardh Kumbha area.
The move has been initiated with the consent of the railways to ensure that major railway stations are not over burdened with passengers. In addition, The RPF and GRP personnel have been instructed to thoroughly check trains and passengers coming to Haridwar.
He directed the police officers to have good behaviour with pilgrims. Pilgrims reaching in Haridwar to take dip in Ganga river should be facilitated like they are their family members.
IG Martoila said that three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) would be pressed into service in the forthcoming big snan and that would help the police in crowd management, traffic management on the highways and traffic regulation on the normally congested areas aside from parking management during the snans on Monday. All the possible steps have been taken to complete the forthcoming big snan peacefully, he added.