Agartala: Tripura police on Monday announced a special security arrangement for the Durga Puja celebration across the state, especially in the urban areas, after respective district administrations issued Covid-19 safety protocol for both puja organisers and pandal hoppers.
Director-General of Police (DGP) VS Yadav said, “An elaborate security blanket has been put in place with the deployment of 7,6600 armed personnel including 4,242 jawans of Tripura State Rifles (TSR) for Durga Puja celebrations.”
“As many as 2,176 community Durga Pujas are being celebrated in pandals in the state, including 865 puja pandals in urban areas and 554 in Agartala and surrounding areas, which is slightly less than previous years,” he said.
There will be a total of 157 police assistance booths in the state including 50 booths in Agartala city to render assistance to the people, Yadav said, adding as many as 98 watchtowers are being constructed in all important locations across the state, including 25 towers in the capital city.
“The sensitive and important places with high footfalls will be kept under CCTV surveillance. A total of 78 additional CCTVs have been installed in various locations in the state.
“Railway Police stations have taken steps to ensure safety and security of the devotees travelling from one area to another. In addition, eight platoons of CRPF have been deployed in eight major police station areas,” the DGP said.
The BSF has been requested to seal the border and intensify area patrolling in the bordering villages.
Preventive operations in vulnerable areas have been stepped up by the police and TSR separately.
Under the Emergency Response Security System, a total of 88 mobile vehicles have been put on 24×7 service through Toll-Free call at 112, Yadav pointed out.
Besides, NCC volunteers for traffic management in the cities, 200 women police volunteers in Gomati District and 240 in West Tripura district have been kept at disposal for assisting police.
An adequate number of plain-clothed police personnel, including women police personnel, have been deployed in various places to maintain surveillance, the DGP said.
The anti-sabotage checks have also been stepped up and the services of the dog squad and bomb detection and disposal squad are being utilised.
The State Disaster Response Force will be kept ready, the police chief added.
