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Elaborate security measures at Shravanabelagola

Staff Correspondent

Visitors' identities will be verified and vehicle registration numbers checked

SHRAVANABELAGOLA: The police are making elaborate security arrangements for Mahamastakabhisheka at Shravanabelagola in the wake of the recent terrorist attack on the Indian Institute of Science.

Verification of identities of visitors and registration numbers of vehicles will be done, according to a senior police officer. Sniffer dogs will be pressed into service and metal detectors will be placed at important locations, according to him.

As many as 15 police officers are being trained to defuse grenades and combat other terrorist activities. Besides this specially trained force, a special action force armed with hitech armaments and land mine detection equipment will be deployed, sources in the department said. During his recent visit to Shravanabelagola, the Director-General and Inspector-General of Police, B.S. Sial, told presspersons that an officer of the rank of Additional Director General of Police will be deputed to oversee security arrangements. A high-level meeting of senior officials will be convened to chalk out security plans for the celebrations. He also urged Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh to provide helicopters for aerial surveillance. The police are concentrating on every detail as VVIPs, including the President, the Prime Minister and the All India Congress Committee president, are expected to pay a visit.

Security arrangements will be made in phases. The first phase will be from January 22 to February 7 and the second phase from February 7 to February 20. The first phase will focus on the protection of VVIPs and political leaders. In all, over 10,000 security personnel will be deployed in these two phases, sources said. Intelligence collection wing, crime squad and anti-sabotage team will be involved.

Photo identity cards will be issued to Kalasha holders participating in the anointing ceremony on Vindyagiri. As many as 10 Superintendents of Police have been drafted for security work and they will monitor the situation from 10 vantage points, and nine watchtowers will be set up. Police personnel will work three shifts and security will be provided at Vindyagiri, Chandragiri, Shravanabelagola town and satellite towns.

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