Udupi: The district police have made adequate security arrangements for the Hindu Samajotsava scheduled to be held at the Mahatma Gandhi Ground here on Monday, March 9.
Speaking to Mangalorean.com, Udupi SP Annamalai K said that police personnel from outside the district will be deployed along with the district police to maintain law and order during the programme. 150 CCTV cameras will be installed at strategic locations. The process of installing the cameras will commence shortly. A total of 22 check posts have been set up across the district. Police will conduct ‘nakabandhi’ at sensitive areas, he added.
As many as 6 DSP’s, 20 CPI’s, 75 PSI’s, 145 ASI’s, 1005 HC’s/PC’s, 48 WHC/PC’s will be on duty. The services of 100 home guards, 15 KSRP and 24 DAR platoons will also be utilized on the day.
The police have already convened a meeting of the organizers and have asked them to follow decorum to maintain communal harmony in the region. The organisers have been asked to adhere to the time frame and end the programme at 5 pm. The SP said that the organizers have been asked not to take law into their hands. Personnel of fire and emergency services and ambulance have been kept on alert to deal with any emergency, the SP said.
Urging people not to pay heed to any rumours or messages that might be circulated on social media in the run up to and after the event, Annamalai K said that anyone trying to take law into their hands will be dealt with firmly and without mercy.
Dry Days
Deputy Commissioner and ex-officio district magistrate, Dr R Vishal has announced dry days from 6 am on Monday, March 9 to 6 am on Tuesday, March 10 on the occasion of Hindu Samajotsava.
Over a lakh people are expected to gather for the Samajotsava. Miscreants are likely to consume alcohol and create law and order problems. As a precaution against it, sale or distribution of liquor at hotels, wine shops, bar and restaurants in and around Udupi is banned during the mentioned timings and dates.