Shravani mela kicks off at Basukinath

Dumka: Santhal Pargana commissioner Baleswar Singh inaugurated the month-long shravani mela at Basukinath on Tuesday.
While directing administrative and police officials to ensure proper security arrangements are in place at Basukinath, Singh said pilgrims' safety should be given top priority. "The state government has allocated sufficient funds to ensure arrangements are in place" Singh said.
Dumka DC Rahul Kumar Sinha, who is also the ex-officio administrator of Basulkinath Shiva temple, emphasized on a proper delivery mechanism for pilgrims' service.
"This is the first time shravani mela is being held after the constitution of the Babadham and Basukinath Dham shrine board and development authority. Providing more facilities to pilgrims has been our priority," Sinha said.
In a bid to ensure crowd management, Sinha said six jalarpan counters have been placed outside the Shiva temple, which would prevent crowd disasters. This apart, CCTV cameras have been stalled across the area and policemen are keeping vigil.
The public relations department has constructed seven pandals for pilgrims to live in.
Also, cultural programmes have been organized. Dumka SP Prabhat Kumar said policemen have to put their best foot forward to maintain law and order and ensure smooth movement of pilgrims in and around the temple premises.