Security beefed up across Gujarat for Navratri festival

The Gujarat government has made elaborate security arrangements ahead of the Navratri festival beginning from tomorrow, state DGP said today.

"All action plans of security are being put in place in different parts of the state," Gujarat Director General of Police Chittaranjan Singh told PTI over phone. Gujarat, where the Navratri festival has been celebrated in traditional fervour and pomp, has been on alert and besides the state capital, security at cities like Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot and other parts of the state has been increased, he said.

Gujarat is always on the alert and it was witnessed during the Ganesh festival celebrations and the famous fair held at the temple of goddess Ambaji located on the hill top of Aravali mountain in Banaskantha district. In order to ensure that the festival passes off peacefully, private security guards and additional closed circuit television (CCTVs) cameras have been installed at the vantage points at the venues where garba (traditional navratri dance) is performed every night in the praise of goddess, police said.

"The festival sees a massive turnout of people on all days. It is difficult to check each person's identity. However, we will have entry-level security checks, including metal detectors and individual frisking. Policemen and vehicles will be stationed outside the main gate of the venue," Singh said.

He also informed that well before beginning of the event, the organisers, on instructions of police chalked out a security plan well in advance. The DGP said the venues will be scanned by a bomb detection squad and sniffer dogs before the main event commences every night.

"The CCTVs that have been installed at different points on the ground will have live feeds streaming to the monitors stationed there. In case of any threat, the authorities can spring into action," he said.

The girls students from Assam, Manipur, Punjab, Meghalaya and other parts of the country and abroad studying in various faculties at Maharaja Sayajirao University in Baroda also participate in the celebrations underlining the spirit of harmony and integration.

Singh also informed that Rapid Action Force (RAF) and State Reserve Police (SRP) will be deployed at the venues where garbas will be held with large participation.