India, Sept. 23 -- With inching closer to the opening of Durga Puja pandals on Wednesday next week, the police have beefed up and kept reviewing security arrangements in city.
Puja Samitis are also gearing up strengthening their own network of volunteers, closed circuit TV (CCTV) camera and others to provide safe, secure and hassle-free movement of the devotees and visitors this year.
"Though we get assistance from the police whenever we require, but it is not enough many a times, or not timely as they (the police) have issues of their own. Hence, we are relying more upon our own network of volunteers which is good in numbers, CCTV network and others," said Satya Amar Lok Puja Samiti Spokesperson Suresh Chandra Agrawal on Friday.
He added that the Samiti has not come across any major issue of safety and security inside Puja Pandal except few of snatchings and pick-pocketing. "Actually organised pick-pocketing rackets in city have started using minors and kids, as it is very easy for kids to get disappeared in crowd, and they are not prime suspects anywhere, too. So, we have asked our volunteers to keep tab on kids. As far as snatching is concerned, we the police are said to have conducted special drive to keep them out of crowd," added Agrawal.
SSP Kuldep Dwivedi, on the other hand, said that the police have taken all measures to keep anti-social elements away from the crowd and people must not worry about their safety and security in and around any of Puja Pandals. "We have identified anti-social elements and are keeping close eyes on their movements. Police personnel have been provided training and civil defense teams are at work to act promptly and swiftly in case there is any requirement. We are in process of ensuring immediate response to all our telephone calls," said Dwivedi.
Notably, Chief Minister Raghubar Das had asked the DCs and SPs earlier this month to keep a close eye on the activities of anti-social elements during festive season. He had directed them to simplify their style of working by fixing accountability. He had also asked them to keep tab on rumor-mongers on social media and elsewhere during festivals.
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