IGP Dr Satyajit Nayak Reviews Kali Puja Security in Jajpur .
Jajpur,06/11(PPT): Inspector General of Police (IGP), Central Range, Dr Satyajit Nayak, IPS, on Friday reviewed the security arrangements for the forthcoming Kali Puja celebrations in Jajpur district and led a flag march along with Jajpur Superintendent of Police Yash Pratap Shrimal. The review focused on maintaining law and order, crowd management, traffic regulation and ensuring the safety of devotees during the festival and immersion processions.
Kali Puja will be celebrated across Jajpur district, including Jajpur town and Jajpur Road, from November 7 to 15, followed by idol immersion on November 16 and 17 in Jajpur town and on November 18 in Jajpur Road. A total of 119 puja mandaps will be set up across the district, including 42 in Jajpur town and 21 in Jajpur Road. The district will also witness 10 silver Medhas, five gold Medhas and one brass Medha. With a large gathering of devotees and spectators expected during the celebrations, the IGP directed police officers to remain highly alert and ensure adequate security at all sensitive locations and along immersion routes.
As part of the security arrangements, 22 platoons of police force, 400 Home Guards, 85 Sub-Inspectors and Assistant Sub-Inspectors, 25 Inspectors, 10 Deputy Superintendents of Police and three Additional Superintendents of Police will be deployed. Nine static and six mobile assistance posts will function to provide immediate assistance to the public. Ten mobile control teams and eight four-wheeler patrol teams will remain on duty. A total of 70 CCTV cameras, including 48 existing and 22 additional cameras, along with four drones, will be used for surveillance and monitoring of crowd movement.
Dr Nayak stressed the need for preventive policing and close coordination among police stations, intelligence units, traffic personnel and festival organisers. He directed officers to maintain a close watch on anti-social elements, habitual offenders and troublemakers and take preventive legal action against those likely to disturb public peace. Special attention will be given to preventing pickpocketing, chain snatching, eve-teasing, molestation, illegal liquor and drug activities and other criminal incidents. Security will also be strengthened at communally sensitive locations and places of worship.
The IGP instructed police personnel to regulate immersion processions properly, maintain discipline along procession routes and ensure that traffic and emergency services are not disrupted. Organisers will be encouraged to deploy adequate volunteers and private security guards at puja mandaps, particularly to safeguard ornaments of the deities. CCTV surveillance, drone monitoring and effective crowd-control measures will be maintained throughout the festival. Police will also keep a close watch on rumours and provocative social media content to prevent unnecessary tension.
Emphasising people-friendly policing, Dr Nayak directed the deployed personnel to behave politely and sensitively with devotees and members of the public. He said that maintaining public trust and ensuring the convenience and safety of citizens should remain the priority of the police force. The flag march was organised to reassure the public, strengthen confidence and demonstrate the preparedness of the district police ahead of the celebrations.
Jajpur SP Yash Pratap Shrimal and other senior police officers participated in the security review and flag march. The district police have appealed to puja committees, volunteers and the public to cooperate with the administration and follow safety guidelines to ensure that Kali Puja and the subsequent immersion ceremonies are celebrated peacefully and harmoniously.