AYODHYA: Ayodhya has been turned into a fortress for the three-day Deepotsav festivity, with a cauldron of National Security Guards and 5,000 police and paramilitary personnel deployed across the temple town.
About 150 commandos from NSG, Anti-Terror Squad, and Rapid Action Force have been deployed at key locations, including the Ram temple complex.
Additional police personnel and officers from various districts and police headquarters will also form part of the security paraphernalia. Since the placement of diyas for Deepotsav has begun at the Saryu ghat, the security perimeter has been tightened, with teams keeping vigil in 12-hour shifts.
Teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), water police, PAC flood relief and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), all equipped with steamers and safety gear, are keeping a close eye on the Saryu ghats.
Ayodhya SSP Rajkaran Nayyar held a review meeting at the Police Lines on Monday to assess the security plan. Nayyar said the large fleet of security personnel will ensure a peaceful Diwali and Deepotsav celebrations in the temple town.
Barricades have been put up in lanes leading to Ram Ki Paidi. Entry has been restricted to residents and those with passes. A command and control centre has been set up to provide real-time monitoring and senior officers will remain present throughout the event. Additionally, 300 traffic personnel will remain on duty to manage the flow of traffic around celebration areas.
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