Amid threats of terror acts during the Kumbh Mela commencing from January 15, 2019 in the Sangam city, the Anti-Terrorists Squad (ATS) of Uttar Pradesh Police has deployed its sleuths in the mela area a month before the start of the mega event.
A team of National Security Guards (NSG) will also camp permanently in the Kumbh Mela area to assist the ATS in case of any need.
A mock drill was held in the Mela area on Saturday after which the ATS took over the reins of security of the Kumbh Mela area, spread over 3,200 hectares on the banks of rivers Ganga and Yamuna. The Mela area has been divided into 20 sectors.
Inspector General (ATS) Aseem Arun said in Lucknow on Sunday that all arrangements had been made for foolproof security of the Kumbh Mela area.
He said all the 40 police stations in the city and Mela area had been connected with Quick Response Teams (QRT) while the ATS field units had been made active.
“We will provide motorcycles to the ATS teams and the two Special Police Operation Teams (SPOT) for faster movement in the Mela area,” he said.
The security officials are also arranging a chopper, either from the Indian Air Force or the Border Security Force, and it will be stationed near the Mela area for use in any emergency.
The intelligence sleuths suspect that terrorists can create disturbances during the Kumbh. These suspected terrorists are either from the city or have good knowledge of the topography of the city and the Mela area.
According to reports, the ATS and other security teams will be stationed in the Kumbh Mela area till March 5, 2019. The Kumbh Mela starts from January 15, 2019 on Makar Sankranti with the first Shahi Snan.