Security upped for Dakor festivity

AHMEDABAD: As the state has recently witnessed terror alert, Kheda police have upped the security arrangements for Dakor Yatra, to take place on full moon day of Phalgun.
As 12 to 15 lakh devotees are expected to visit the temple on March 24 to mark the holy day, police will for the first time deploy Chetak commandos and Netra quadcopters at the town.
Kheda SP Maninder Singh Pawar told TOI that their priority is to ensure that there is no chaos and adequate security arrangements during the festival without any harassment to the devotees who throng the town from all over the state.
“The security arrangements will start from March 18 on the routes leading to Dakor. Over 3,000 police officers and personnel will be on duty at the temple, in the town and on the routes. Chetak commandos will be in the town along with Quick Response Teams (QRTs). Netra quadcopters will also be deployed,” said Pawar.
Kheda police officials said that there would be 30 police help desks en route to report petty crimes and lost and found persons. Police will be scanning the entire route in Kheda district leading to Dakor temple with CCTVs. A total of 10 watchtowers will also be constructed on the route.
“To prevent excessive crowd at the temple itself, we’ve divided the route in the town in various closed zones created by barricades. Between these zones, there will be isolation zones which will be used by the police and other agencies for movement. The experiment is taking place for the first time,” said Pawar.
He said there would be an integrated control room where along with police, there would be representatives from other agencies such as health and temple committee present. It would not only result in better coordination but also quick decision making, he added.
“There will be signboards with temple timings and emergency numbers printed. We’ve deployed civil defence members who can swim near the bridges and water bodies to prevent drowning. Teams of BDDS and sniffer dogs will also be ready round the clock to ensure safety,” added Pawar.