Agartala, September 26: The state administration is fully prepared to ensure a peaceful celebration of the upcoming Durga Puja, said Anurag Dhankar, Director General of Police (DGP), in a press conference today.
With Durga Puja being the biggest festival for Bengalis, the state administration has taken extensive measures to ensure security across Tripura. Speaking at the press briefing, DGP Dhankar outlined the comprehensive security arrangements for the festival.
He stated that additional forces have been deployed across the state, including district police units, traffic units, Tripura State Rifles (TSR) personnel, and women police. This year, more administrative officials have been assigned for festival security than in previous years.
According to the DGP, around 2,965 Durga Puja pandals are being organized this year, compared to 2,750 last year, marking nearly a 10% increase. All emergency services, including fire services, PWD, electricity, and telephone departments, have been put on alert. Pandal organizers have been instructed to obtain special permits from SDPOs for sound systems, and no sound boxes exceeding 75 decibels will be allowed, as per High Court orders.
Additional forces will be deployed from Saturday to manage crowds and assist the public. This year, 6,550 TSR personnel, 380 additional police officers, and 920 trainee officers will be engaged in festival security, bringing the total additional force to 7,750 personnel across the state.
Security arrangements also include 215 mobile patrol vehicles and 320 CCTV cameras, up from 216 last year, to monitor crowd management and prevent untoward incidents. Organizers have been asked to install CCTV cameras at all pandals to ensure visitor safety.
Frequent coordination meetings have been held between administrative officials and pandal organizers, who have assured their cooperation. Sniffer dogs and bomb squads will monitor various pandals throughout the festival.
From September 29 to October 2, a No-Entry Zone will be in effect from 5 PM to 1 AM. Only private vehicles will be allowed inside the pandal areas during this period; public vehicles will be restricted to prevent traffic congestion.
The DGP also issued a stern warning against extortion or illegal collection of donations, stating that police will take immediate action in every reported case. Citizens are urged to report any untoward incidents via the 112 helpline, which will remain operational throughout the state.
Special security measures will also be in place at railway stations to ensure the safe travel of passengers, especially women and children. Border areas will remain under strict surveillance in coordination with the BSF.
DGP Anurag Dhankar concluded by appealing for public cooperation to ensure that Durga Puja is celebrated as a safe and joyful festival across the state.
