The district administration will rope in more than 400 police personnel to maintain law and order at Chhath Ghats in Ranchi. Officials said that National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams will also be deputed at the dams and chhath ghats identified dangerous by the administration to evade any untoward incident.
“looking at the rush during Chhath Puja this time, around 400-500 police personnel will be deputed all over the State Capital to maintain peace and law and order at Chaath ghats and other strategic locations,” said SP City Aman Kumar. All Police Stations have also been alerted and asked be vigilant on Thursday and Friday, he added.
“We have also passed direction to all the Police Stations to request the local divers to present at the ghats during Chhath Puja both in the evening and morning. They will also be in regular contact with the volunteers and local committees formed at the local level during Chhath Puja,” said the SP. The local bodies have also been asked to ensure Public Address System at all Chhath Ghats, he added.
Meanwhile, the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) will put red ribbons and danger signs at some of the places identified susceptible to untoward incident.
“NDRF teams will be there both on Thursday evening and Friday morning at Ranchi lake, Chadri Pond, Jail Pond, Dhurwa Dam and Kanke Dam,” said RMC Health Officer Kiran Kumari. Red ribbons beyond the depth of 4 feet will also be ensured in Chhath Ghat by Wednesday along with danger signs to caution people not to cross the mark, she added.
In addition to that CCTV cameras will be installed at all major water bodies in the city, including the Ranchi lake, Kanke dam and Dhurwa dam for better security management. Apart from that, drones may also be used at some strategic locations for aerial surveillance.
The four-day festival–worship of the Sun God–began with Nahai Khai ritual on Tuesday and will conclude on Friday morning with offering Argha to the Sun God in the morning.