GONDA: Gonda District Magistrate Priyanka Niranjan and Superintendent of Police Abhishek conducted a briefing for police personnel deployed for the Kajari Teej festival at the Reserve Police Lines in Gonda on Saturday. The officers issued detailed instructions to ensure the festival passes peacefully and safely amid the expected influx of devotees.
Kajari Teej will be celebrated across Gonda on September 13 and 14. Large numbers of devotees from rural and urban areas of Gonda, as well as remote areas of neighbouring districts including Balrampur, Bahraich, Shravasti and Ayodhya, are expected to gather for the festival.
Many devotees will bathe at the Saryu Ghats, collect holy water and travel along the Lucknow-Gonda route to offer it at Barakhandi Nath Temple in Colonelganj, Prithvinath Temple in the Khargupur police station area and Dukhharan Nath Temple in the Kotwali Nagar area.
Comprehensive Security Deployment
The police administration has made extensive arrangements at key locations in view of the large crowds and the sensitivity of the festival. A total of five Additional Superintendents of Police, 16 Deputy Superintendents of Police and 51 inspectors, station house officers and other police inspectors have been deployed, along with adequate male and female constables from Gonda and other districts.
The security arrangements also include Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), Dial 112 PRV vehicles, water police and divers, fire services, dog squads, field units and SWAT teams. Three Quick Response Teams (QRTs) have been constituted to respond to emergencies.
Dragon lights have been arranged for emergency illumination. Four anti-Romeo teams have been deployed to prevent harassment, chain-snatching and other unwanted incidents, particularly involving women devotees.
Crowd Management and Surveillance
During the briefing, officials directed all zonal and sector police officers to remain continuously mobile in their assigned areas, review the deployment of personnel and ensure that every officer is properly briefed about their responsibilities.
Station house officers and inspectors have been instructed to maintain peace and law and order in their designated areas under the guidance of zonal and sector officers. They will be deployed with adequate personnel and equipment, including ropes, loudhailers and anti-riot guns.
The administration has directed that no shops be allowed within 250 metres of the two Saryu Ghats, major locations and the temples. Officials have been instructed to ensure sufficient space for devotees and prevent congestion.
CCTV cameras will monitor temple interiors and premises, while drone cameras will be used to keep watch over sensitive areas. CCTV control rooms have been established at the temples to monitor activities.
Intelligence and Emergency Response
The Radio Reserve Inspector has been directed to check all wireless sets and ensure adequate battery arrangements for the rapid exchange of information. A sub-control room has been established under the Radio Reserve Inspector, Gonda, for quick communication during the festival.
The Local Intelligence Unit and other intelligence agencies have been instructed to remain alert and gather information about activities that could affect law and order. The Social Media Cell will monitor Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and WhatsApp for misleading information. Officials have been directed to ensure prompt legal action and effective rebuttal of any rumours or misinformation.
Anti-Romeo teams in plain clothes will remain active in crowded areas to monitor suspicious activities and prevent harassment and chain-snatching.
Zonal Supervision
Additional Superintendent of Police-level officers have been assigned as zonal in-charges, while Deputy Superintendent of Police-level officers will supervise sector arrangements.
Additional SP East Gonda Ajit Kumar Rajak has been appointed in charge of the overall police arrangements in the eastern region, while Additional SP West Gonda Radheshyam Rai will oversee security arrangements in the western region.
The briefing was attended by gazetted officers and police personnel from Gonda and other districts who have been deployed for the festival.
The administration has urged all personnel to remain vigilant, coordinate effectively and ensure the safe and peaceful completion of Kajari Teej celebrations.
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