Security Fortress Prepared for Shrawani Mela; Range IG Vivek Kumar Issues Directives During Review of Banka SDPO Office, 21 Temporary OPs to Be Set Up for Kanwarias' Security, Additional Police Force Demanded

Security Fortress Prepared for Shrawani Mela; Range IG Vivek Kumar Issues Directives During Review of Banka SDPO Office, 21 Temporary OPs to Be Set Up for Kanwarias' Security, Additional Police Force Demanded

Bhagalpur, Chief Correspondent: To ensure the safety and smooth journey of millions of Shiva devotees (Kanwarias) arriving from every corner of the country during the world-famous Shrawani Mela—which holds a unique cultural and religious identity worldwide—the police administration has begun finalizing its preparations. In this connection, Bhagalpur Range Inspector General (IG) of Police Vivek Kumar conducted a surprise inspection and review meeting at the SDPO office under Banka district. The core focus of this high-level meeting was to tighten law and order, traffic management, and Kanwaria security arrangements during the upcoming Shrawani Mela. During the review, the IG issued clear directives that the safety of every pilgrim attending the fair is paramount and no laxity of any kind will be tolerated.

Special Arrangement of 21 Temporary OPs (Police Outposts)

To control the massive crowd of devotees and prevent any untended incidents along the Kanwaria route passing through Banka district (especially the main route heading via Sultanganj to Deoghar through Banka), the administration has drafted a comprehensive security blueprint. Following the review meeting, it was decided that 21 new temporary OPs (Police Outposts) will be established to strengthen security and surveillance across the entire Kanwaria route.

The layout and jurisdiction of these temporary police outposts were discussed in detail during the meeting:

Patrolling at Sensitive Points: These temporary OPs will be set up at all major halting spots, rest camps, and crowded intersections falling within the boundaries of Banka district, ensuring that police force remains accessible to the public at all times.

24-Hour Patrolling and Surveillance: Police officers and personnel will be deployed in three shifts at these outposts to patrol day and night, keeping a sharp eye on anti-social elements and pickpockets.

Quick Response Centers: These temporary posts will not be limited to policing alone; they will also function as 'Quick Response Centers' for Kanwarias during any emergency, accident, or health-related issue.

Demand for Additional Police Force and Deployment of Security Personnel

Given the sheer scale of the massive crowds gathering during the Shrawani Mela, the local police force proves inadequate. Keeping this in mind, it was decided in the review meeting chaired by Range IG Vivek Kumar that an additional police force will be requisitioned from headquarters.

Discussions were also held regarding the areas where additional forces will be deployed following their allocation:

Increased Share of Women Police Force: Keeping in mind the safety and convenience of female Kanwarias, a large number of women police personnel and battalions will be deployed to prevent any inconvenience during queueing.

Plain Clothes Intelligence: To curb pickpockets, eve-teasers, and suspicious activities, police personnel in plain clothes will be deployed amidst the crowd to thwart any conspiracy in a timely manner.

Lathi Force and Armed Forces: Alongside the deployment of magistrates at sensitive and crowded fronts, adequate quantities of lathi force and armed force contingents will remain alert.

Special Emphasis on Traffic Management and Vehicle Parking

A massive volume of private vehicles, buses, and auto-tempos moves along the route heading to Deoghar via Banka and Sultanganj. During the meeting, IG Vivek Kumar issued strict directives to make traffic management smooth:

No-Entry Zone and Route Diversion: The entry of heavy vehicles will be completely restricted on special days of the fair (such as Somwari and Ekadashi). A clear route diversion plan is being prepared for this.

Selection of Parking Sites: For the convenience of Kanwarias, illegal parking along roadsides has been completely prohibited, and alternative parking locations have been earmarked.

Strict Directives to Local Administration and Police Officials

At the conclusion of the meeting, Range IG Vivek Kumar instructed the SDPO and other police officials of Banka to maintain better mutual coordination. Ghat barricading, deployment of divers, and regular monitoring of CCTV cameras from the control room must be ensured. He explicitly stated that the service and safety of Kanwarias is the greatest success of this fair, which is why every police personnel must perform their duty with utmost sensitivity and promptness.

This review meeting conducted by Bhagalpur Range IG Vivek Kumar at the Banka SDPO office and the step to establish 21 temporary OPs for Shrawani Mela security prove that the administration is in no mood to slip up on any front. The demand for additional police forces and these administrative preparations being made in a timely manner guarantee that this year's sacred journey of Baba Baidyanath's devotees within the borders of Jharkhand and Bihar will be completely safe, peaceful, and auspicious.