Agartala, Oct 8:** More than 10,000 police and Tripura State Rifles (TSR) personnel will be deployed across Tripura during Durga Puja to maintain law and order and assist devotees and visitors, in-charge DGP G S Rao said on Thursday.
Addressing a press conference at the state police headquarters, Rao said 2,905 community pujas had been reported across the state so far and the number was expected to increase as the deadline for obtaining permission and informing local police stations was yet to expire.
A total of 2,948 community pujas were held across Tripura last year, he said.
To strengthen security and assist the public, the police will set up 256 assistance centres this year, up from 220 during the previous Puja, Rao said.
Around 180 to 190 CCTV cameras will be installed at puja venues to monitor crowds and support security arrangements, while 159 watchtowers will also be erected at strategic locations, he said.
With markets witnessing increased footfall ahead of the festival, 29 police patrol vans have been deployed to facilitate the safe movement of shoppers, Rao said.
In Agartala, around 450 pujas are expected to be organised this year. Traffic authorities have prepared arrangements to regulate vehicular movement during the festival, he said.
No-entry restrictions will be imposed at several locations in the city between 5 pm and 1 am during the Puja days, while a green corridor will be created to facilitate emergency movement and other special requirements, Rao said.
A police control room will function round the clock throughout the festival. The deployment of women police personnel will also be increased to assist women visitors at puja venues and crowded areas, he said.
Special security arrangements will be made for railway passengers, Rao said, adding that police stations had been holding meetings with puja committees in their respective jurisdictions to coordinate security and crowd-management measures.
Puja committees have also been asked to deploy volunteers at their respective pandals to assist visitors and support crowd management, he said.
Rao urged air and rail passengers to plan their journeys in advance and allow sufficient time to reach airports and railway stations, particularly in Agartala, where traffic restrictions will be enforced during the festival.
The arrangements are aimed at maintaining peace and order across the state and ensuring the safety and convenience of people visiting puja venues and other crowded places, he said.
