Cops in chopper to take Dasara security to new high

 In a first, the City police will deploy a helicopter to keep tabs on vital installations on Jamboo Savari day on October 4, the grand finale of Dasara. 

Besides, two Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) will be utilised exclusively for the day, along with a 8,000-strong police contingent, including two companies of Rapid Action Force (RAF), to  guard the event.

Addressing the media at his office on Saturday, Police Commissioner M A Saleem said that though there were no specific intelligence inputs, unprecedented security arrangements are being made to manage the huge crowd expected for the event. The department was also aware of the threat posed by Al-Qaeda, Saleem said. 

Detailing on the copter surveillance, Saleem said it will be in place for four hours during jamboo savari. It will be procured from a private operator on rent. Two armed men from the City police will be on board, swinging into action in case of an exigency. The copter will cover vital locations like Chamundi Hills and Infosys. Aerial surveillance is imperative, as a majority of the police force will be concentrating on the Palace and the Jamboo Savari route.

Two UAVs will be deployed, one each at the Palace and on the Jamboo Savari route. Last year, one UAV was used for the purpose. Over 100 CCTV cameras will be installed at various locations, including the Palace and the procession route. Apart from the permanent cameras, 300-odd cameras will be installed on a temporary basis at the programme venues and also tourist spots like the Palace, procession route, Chamundi Hills, Exhibition, Bannimantap (torchlight parade grounds) and the venues of the food mela and Yuva Dasara.

Heavy security apparatus will be in place for nine days, including a total of 5,021 civil police personnel and 1,200 Home Guards on regular duty. In the last five days, one platoon of commandos from internal security division in Bangalore will be deputed. A bomb disposal squad from Bangalore will also be stationed.

Personnel attached to the RAF will be deployed in large numbers on the first and last day of Dasara. 

Saleem said that policemen will frisk visitors to the Chamundi Hills on September 25, the day the Navaratri festivities begin.