With lakhs of devotees expected to take holy dip at various ghats in Haridwar on Somwati Amawasya on December 18, police have made elaborate security arrangements. In forming this, the Haridwar Senior Superintendent of police Krishan Kumar VK said on Thursday that security has been beefed up with the deployment of additional forces in view of the Somwati Amawasya snan.
Haridwar SP City Mamta Vohra has been made in-charge of the entire Mela area and she has been assigned the task of maintaining law and order in the area. Besides, she would oversee the traffic arrangements, SSP said.
Meanwhile, the Mela areas have been divided into several zones and sectors. Deputy SP has been made in-charge of the zones while the police station in-charges, inspectors, senior sub-inspectors and sub-inspectors have been made sector in-charges. Besides, a bomb disposal squad has been formed with its personnel being directed to conduct checking drives regularly to prevent any terror attack during the occasion. Mounted police would be deployed too to maintain peace in the areas which are likely to see crowds. Besides, local intelligence unit personnel have been deputed with instruction to keep vigil. Water police have been appointed at various ghats in addition to stop people from drowning in Ganga while taking the ritualistic holy dip.
A special squad has been formed to stop beggars from begging in the mela area. A missing found cell has been set up at city control room to ensure that the missing persons are handed over to their near ones, SSP said, adding that the circle officer City and Kotwali inspector have been directed to launch drive for freeing the places in the mela premises from encroachment and for removing beggars in their jurisdictional limits.
This aside, police patrolling would be intensified by way of ensuring fool- proof security. SSP stressed on maintaining communal harmony while asking the police station officers and the circle officers to conduct joint patrolling in the communally vulnerable areas. He cautioned the police officers against any kind of rumour mongering that might result in stampede like situations. He asked all the units to maintain coordination with one another. He added that they are leaving no stone unturned to ensure a peaceful snan.