DGP takes stock of security for Ratha Jatra

Puri: With only three days left for the world famous Ratha Jatra in Puri, Director General of Police (DGP) KB Singh today reviewed the security arrangements for the mega festival.

The meeting had a through deliberation on key issues pertaining to crowd control, traffic management, darshan of the deities and timely conduct of rituals.

It was decided that 131 platoons of the Odisha State Armed Police (OSAP) force would be deployed to maintain law and order during Rath Yatra.

Talking to media persons after the meeting, the DGP said senior police officers have been given specific responsibility for smooth conduct of the festival.

“As per the decision taken at the meeting, ADG Satyajit Mohanty would remain in charge of the management of the forces, IG Sanjib Panda would be in charge of traffic control and IG, Asit Panigrahi will manage crowd movement. Besides ADG Binayanand Jha would take charge of the cordon of the three chariots while IG Soumendra Priyadarshi would monitor the activities inside the temple. These officers will work with proper coordination among themselves,” he said.

Apart from this, 16 officers in the rank of Commandant and Superintendent of Police, 26 Additional SPs and Deputy Commandants, 52 DSPs and Assistant Commandants, 82 Inspectors, 542 Sub Inspectors, 388 Civil Constables, 25 Traffic Havildars, 61 Traffic Constables and more than 2000 Home Guards would be mobilized for security duty, Singh informed.

Senior police officers from across the state were present at the meeting, which was held at the Municipality conference hall.