Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: 40 platoons of police force, Anti-Terror Squad to be deployed in Bhubaneswar

In a bid to ensure security arrangements for the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations, scheduled from January 8, 40 platoons of police force will be deployed in Bhubaneswar, informed Twin City Police Commissioner S Debadatta Singh on Sunday.

Sharing details about the security arrangements for the three-day-long mega event, Singh said that 12 para companies of armed central forces will also be deployed to ensure safety and security during the event which is being hoisted in Odisha for the first time.

The city will be under the surveillance of intelligence agencies, and an Anti-Terror Squad will also be part of the security measures, the Commissioner added.

 “Traffic management and guest security will be given top priority. Specific agencies have been entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring the safety of visiting dignitaries. Security arrangements will also be in place during their visits to tourist destinations,” Singh said.

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Earlier today, the Special Operations Group (SOG) and Special Protection Group (SPG) conducted mock drills to counter any potential threats and Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja has reviewed the arrangements.

On Saturday, the Odisha government also launched a central command control centre to coordinate with guests during the three-day-long event.

This centre will provide information and assistance to around 7,000 Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) who are likely to attend the event here, a statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said.

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The centre can be reached by dialling 1929 for support, with an Interactive Voice Response system in place for event-specific inquiries. Personnel from various departments will be deployed to assist the attendees.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the event on January 9, while President Droupadi Murmu will address the gathering on January 10.