The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Over 8,000 policemen for Deepam festival

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Nov 21, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Over 8,000 policemen for Deepam festival

Staff Reporter

STC to operate 1850 buses

Tiruvannamalai: As many as 8,600 police personnel will be deployed for security during the Karthigai Deepam festival in Tiruvannamalai on December 1.

Additional Director-General of Police K.Radhakrishnan told presspersons here recently that an IG, three DIGs and 8 SPs will handle security arrangements. “There is a 15 per cent rise in the number of police personnel posted for Deepam festival compared to last year. To help locate missing persons and to help devotees 80 police personnel will be patrolling on motorcycles around the Girivalam path.” To prevent fire in the hill after lighting the Deepam, devotees climbing the hill would not be allowed to carry matchboxes, crackers and camphor, Mr.Radhakrishnan said.

“Full security arrangements would be in place on November 29, 30 and December 1,” he added.

Later, he conducted a meeting of senior police officers.

The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation will ply 1850 special buses from November 30 to December 2 to Tiruvannamalai from various destinations including Chennai, Bangalore, Puducherry, Coimbatore, Tiruchi, Salem and important towns.

TNSTC General Manager, Tiruvannamalai Region, Palanivelu, said, at a review meeting convened by District Collector M.Rajendran to discuss arrangements for the festival, that “this is 300 more when compared to last year’s 1550 buses.”

Superintendent of Police M.Pandiyan said that proper lighting should be provided at all the nine temporary bus stands to be set up at nine entry points to the town.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu