Odisha: The Odisha Police has made extensive security arrangements for the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath to be held later this month. An official gave this information on Tuesday. Director General of Police (DGP) Y. B. Khurania held a high -level meeting with top police officers associated with intelligence, law and order, rail and coastal security.
The DGP ordered him to pay special attention to issues such as possible stampede situation, campaign against criminals and facilities of devotees. The official said that the DGP also insisted on the deployment of ‘K9’ squad or ‘Dog Squad’.
Many Union ministers and many VVIPs are expected to come to Puri during the Rath Yatra as Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has invited several Union Ministers and Chief Ministers of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ruled states to come to Puri during the Rath Yatra. Last year, President Draupadi Murmu saw the Rath Yatra festival in Puri.
DGP Khurania also instructed to make the traffic system smooth, arrange for barriers and to resolve various problems with the district administration. The issue of dealing with emergency situations was also discussed in the meeting. The meeting discussed the installation of CCTVs at various important places in the city, installation of dividers on the road, making traffic zones for traffic management, making adequate parking arrangements at various places of the city, maintaining the traffic system, etc.
The Odisha Police is expected to gather millions of devotees during the Rath Yatra festival. This festival is celebrated for about a fortnight. The bathing ceremony of God will be celebrated on June 11, while the chariot journey and chariot pulling program is on 27 June. A large number of devotees also gather in Puri on the day of ‘Nabjoban Darshan’ (Darshan of the new form of God) on 26 June, a day before the chariot pulling program. Hera Panchami festival will be celebrated on July 1, followed by Sandhya Darshan on July 4 and Bahuda Yatra (Rath return festival) on July 5.
