SP discusses measures to ensure peace, security, smooth conduct of festivities

 

 

 

Superintendent of Police, Sampat Upadhyay (IPS) chaired a meeting with all gazetted officers and station house officers to ensure peace, security and smooth conduct of festivities during the upcoming Navratri and Dussehra celebrations. Addressing the meeting, SP Upadhyay has given necessary directives to the officers that idols must be installed only at traditional sites, and processions should follow their traditional routes, adequate lighting and police patrolling should be arranged on routes used by women visiting temples to offer water, at major venues where large crowds gather, separate exit gates must be constructed if not already available.

 

He also said for avoiding Garba events in open public places. CCTV cameras must be installed at Garba venues and organizers should be consulted to ensure safety compliance. Even minor incidents must be immediately responded to, and legal action must be taken on the spot and public should keep vigilant eye on anti-social and disruptive elements, and strict preventive action should be taken against known history-sheeters and active troublemakers. SP Upadhyay emphasized that the coming days are crucial from the law and order perspective as Durga Utsav is celebrated with grandeur in the cultural city of Jabalpur and is renowned across the state.

 

Large numbers of devotees visit Durga pandals especially during Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami, requiring heightened vigilance. Each SHO was asked to gather full details of Garba events, processions, and community feasts being organized in their jurisdictions. They were directed to ensure idols of Goddess Durga/Kali are placed only at traditional sites. Pandals must not obstruct public movement and must have fire extinguishers and sand buckets to handle minor fire incidents. Donation boxes must not be left inside closed pandals at night to avoid theft disputes. Pandals should be fully enclosed with cloth barricades.

 

Responsibility for each idol should be assigned to a designated constable/ASI/beat officer who will monitor from installation till immersion. Officers of night and morning patrol must check pandals every hour, ensuring volunteers are present and sign the register. * Fixed police pickets should be set up at sensitive spots, especially where disputes occurred previously, and deployed staff must be properly briefed. SP Upadhyay further said that during such times, certain mischief-makers try to create disturbances. Officers must remain in continuous field visits, build communication with people from all communities and collect intelligence inputs that could help maintain peace and order. Those suspected of planning unrest should be identified, and strict preventive action should be taken based on their criminal records.