Gonda: Superintendent of Police Vineet Jaiswal inspected security arrangements at the Prithvinath Temple in Kharagupur to review preparations for the ongoing Shravan month, when thousands of devotees and Kanwariyas are expected to visit Shiva temples across the district for Jalabhishek rituals.
During the inspection, the SP assessed crowd management, traffic regulation, and overall security measures, and issued detailed instructions to police officers and personnel deployed at the temple to ensure the safe and peaceful conduct of religious activities throughout the holy month.
Jaiswal directed all gazetted officers and station house officers to inspect major Shiva temples in their respective jurisdictions and review security arrangements on a regular basis. He instructed officials to coordinate closely with religious leaders, temple management committees, event organisers, and peace committee members to maintain communal harmony and ensure seamless management of the festivities.
Special emphasis was placed on maintaining heightened vigilance at sensitive locations and strengthening the local intelligence network. Police personnel have been directed to act promptly on every input and ensure immediate response to any security-related concern.
The SP noted that large numbers of devotees and Kanwariyas would visit Prithvinath Temple and other prominent Shiva shrines in the district every Monday during Shravan, as well as on other auspicious occasions. He instructed officials to make adequate arrangements, including barricading, deployment of divers at rivers and ghats, and provision of other essential safety equipment to protect devotees collecting holy water.
He also ordered sufficient deployment of police personnel at temples, Kanwar routes, and other crowded locations. Adequate numbers of women police officers, both in uniform and plain clothes, will be deployed to ensure the safety and security of female devotees.
All gazetted officers, station house officers, outpost in-charges, and beat police personnel have been directed to remain on continuous patrol and regularly inspect security arrangements in their respective areas. The SP instructed that no non-traditional religious events should be permitted without approval, and any religious procession must follow pre-approved routes under adequate police protection.
To strengthen security in mixed-population and sensitive areas, Quick Response Teams (QRTs) and additional police forces will be stationed at strategic locations. Police pickets, mobile patrols, and foot patrols will also be deployed at regular intervals along Kanwar routes throughout the Shravan period.
The district police have been instructed to prepare route charts for UP-112 emergency response vehicles and position them strategically for rapid response. Traffic diversion plans and alternate routes are to be identified and implemented well in advance to minimise congestion, while public address systems will be kept fully operational. Police teams will also remain actively deployed around temples and Kanwar routes.
The Superintendent of Police further directed officials of the Local Intelligence Unit (LIU) to remain highly vigilant and treat every piece of information, however minor, with utmost seriousness. Continuous monitoring of social media platforms has also been ordered, with instructions to take immediate legal action against anyone spreading rumours, misinformation, or objectionable content that could disturb public order.
The Gonda Police said the comprehensive security measures are aimed at ensuring that devotees can observe the holy month of Shravan peacefully and safely while maintaining law and order across the district.
