Agartala, Oct 8: The Tripura Police will deploy more than 10,000 personnel, including police and Tripura State Rifles (TSR) personnel, across the state during Durga Puja to maintain law and order and assist devotees and visitors, in-charge DGP G S Rao said on Thursday.
Addressing a press conference at the state police headquarters, Rao said 2,905 community pujas had been reported across the state so far. The number is expected to rise as the deadline for obtaining permission and informing local police stations has not yet expired, he said.
Last year, 2,948 community pujas were held across Tripura, Rao said.
The police will establish 256 assistance centres this year, compared with 220 during the previous Puja, he said.
Around 180 to 190 CCTV cameras will be installed at various puja venues to monitor crowds and assist security personnel, while 159 watchtowers will also be set up across the state, Rao said.
With markets witnessing increased footfall ahead of the festival, 29 police patrol vans have been deployed to facilitate the safe movement of shoppers, he said.
In Agartala, around 450 pujas are expected to be held this year. Traffic authorities have prepared detailed arrangements to regulate vehicular movement during the festival, Rao said.
No-entry restrictions will be imposed at several locations in the city between 5 pm and 1 am during the Puja days, he said, adding that a green corridor would be created to facilitate emergency movement and other special requirements.
A police control room will function round the clock during the festival, while the deployment of women police personnel will also be increased to assist women visitors, Rao said.
Special security arrangements will be made for railway passengers, he said, adding that police station authorities had been holding meetings with puja committees in their respective jurisdictions to coordinate security and crowd-management measures.
Puja committees have also been asked to deploy volunteers at their respective pandals to assist visitors and support crowd management, Rao said.
He urged air and rail passengers to plan their journeys in advance and leave sufficient time to reach airports and railway stations, particularly in Agartala, where traffic restrictions will be enforced during the festival.
The security measures have been put in place to maintain peace and order across the state and ensure the safety and convenience of people visiting puja venues and other crowded places, Rao said.
