Gandhinagar, July 13 (SocialNews.XYZ) Gujarat Director General of Police (DGP) Gyanendra Singh Malik on Monday directed police officers across the state to strengthen security arrangements, intensify social media monitoring and step up coordination with local communities ahead of the annual Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra on July 16, with special vigilance ordered in sensitive areas including Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar and Khambhat.
The directions were issued during a high-level video conference chaired by Malik from Police Bhavan, where he reviewed security preparedness with all city police commissioners, range inspectors general and district superintendents of police.
Senior officers, including the DGP (Law and Order), the IGP and the IGP (Intelligence Bureau), attended the meeting in person, while police commissioners and district police chiefs joined virtually.
The meeting focused on ensuring that the Rath Yatra is conducted peacefully across Gujarat in an atmosphere of communal harmony and that security arrangements remain effective despite the ongoing monsoon.
Malik instructed officers to maintain heightened vigilance in sensitive locations and ensure that adequate stocks of essential crowd-control equipment, including tear gas, lathis (sticks) and helmets, are readily available to deal with any emergency.
He also directed police units to conduct intensive foot patrolling in vulnerable areas and to hold advance meetings with organisers of the Rath Yatra and related processions.
Emphasising community engagement, the state police chief asked district and city police units to organise as many Peace Committee meetings as possible before the procession.
He also ordered strict monitoring of social media platforms to prevent the spread of rumours or misinformation during the event.
As part of the security measures, Malik instructed police personnel on duty to make maximum use of body-worn cameras to improve transparency and accountability.
He also directed officers to identify and meet history-sheeters residing along the procession routes and take preventive legal action wherever necessary to avoid any disruption on the day of the Rath Yatra.
Given the prevailing rainy conditions, police were asked to coordinate with the concerned departments to ensure that there are no hazardous or obstructing overhead electricity wires along the procession routes.
During the review, Malik held detailed discussions with all district superintendents of police and range inspectors general on their local security plans and suggested improvements where required to ensure comprehensive preparedness for one of Gujarat's largest annual religious processions.
Source: IANS
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