Gujarat Police will have a big challenge in view of annual Rath Yatra on Saturday as Eid also falls on the same day. As the procession of lord Jagannath is passing through communally sensitive areas, police are taking extra precautions ahead of the 138th Rathyatra to ensure peace in Ahmedabad.
Over the last one decade, Rath Yatra is being completed peacefully. However, after so many years, the festival of Eid will also be celebrated on the same day. Earlier, the city has been through several communal riots during Rath Yatra, that has started from a small scuffle between the members of the two communities.
The Gujarat Police will be deploying security forces along the entire route of Rath Yatra. First time, in the history of Rath Yatra, Night Vision Binoculars will be used. As many as 300 policemen will be empowered with these binoculars and deployed at the most sensitive areas. This apart, 50 close circuit cameras will also be installed at strategic points.
“Three GPS-based automated Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) — Netra — fitted with infrared cameras will also be installed for the surveillance of the Rath Yatra. Four bullet-proof cars of Anti-Terrorist Squad will also run along with the procession of lord Jagannath,” said Vikas Sahay, Joint Commissioner of Police, Ahmedabad.
Around 20,000 personnel from armed forces will guard the Yatra, including 26 DCPs, 75 ACPs, 200 police inspectors, 450 PSIs, 12,000 police constables, 4,800 home guards (male-female) and 50 companies of State Reserve Police, Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force as well as Rapid Action Force, said Sahay, adding that each company comprises around 90 armed personnel.
Thirteen PCR vans enabled with GPS systems will also join the procession. The GPS system will automatically send SMS at regular intervals to police.