The City Police have tightened security across the city, especially in sensitive areas, ahead of bhoomipujan of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. Along with personnel of city police, two companies of State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) and six platoons of Riot Control Police (RCP) will be deployed for bandoabst duties.

 

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Special Branch Shweta Khedkar informed that a special meeting headed by Commissioner of Police (CP) Dr Bhushan Kumar Upadhyaya was held on Tuesday in which instructions were issued to all top rank officials regarding the bandobast.

 

All Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) have been asked to remain present in their jurisdiction on Wednesday and respond immediately to every single incident.

 

A total of 2,500 police personnel from police stations, more than 250 police officials, two companies of SRPF and six platoons of RCP will guard the city. Similarly, Quick Response Team (QRT) has also been kept on standby. “We have identified 40 sensitive points across the City. Special teams will be deployed there to maintain law and order,” DCP Khedkar said and added that patrolling will also be boosted from Tuesday night. The sensitive points were decided after conducting the study of past records of riots in the areas.

 

The police have listed potential anti-social elements and they will be under police lens on Wednesday. Traffic police are also directed to intensify patrolling in the city and do not allow anyone to indulge in anti-social activity. It may be mentioned that the City police extended Section 144 (1) (3) of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) up to August 31st. As per the prohibitary orders, large assembly of people in all parts of the city will not be allowed. The section 144 was first imposed in the city on March 17 this year to check the spread of novel coronavirus.

 

 

Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has withdrawn its plan to take maintenance shutdown in city on Wednesday taking note of request made by Mayor Sandip Joshi. Since there would live telecast of bhoomipujan of Ram Temple from Ayodhya, Joshi said any outage of power would dampen the festive mood and further he added it would be improper. Every Wednesday, MSEDCL takes shutdown in various parts of city to take of maintenance activities. Citizens took up the matter with Mayor after receiving messages from MSEDCL about scheduled power cuts and hence he spoke with senior officials. After discussion the officials informed Mayor and there would be no power cut in any part of city during 9 am to 5 pm as they have decided to cancel planned shutdown for this Wednesday. Mayor has thanked MSEDCL officials for adhering to request and allowing people to have unrestricted view of the ceremony.