Security in place for Jagannath rath yatra: Police

Around 20,000 policemen, including homeguards, state reserve policemen and para-military, will be deployed on the entire 15 km yatra route.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Special) A K Sharma told mediapersons that the all security arrangements for rath yatra have been given final touches.

"We are emphasising on the sensitive areas and have held meetings with local peacekeeping committees and mohalla groups to assess the situation. So far, we have got no threat message or alike from intelligence agencies about the yatra. Meetings with Akhada Samiti and floats and trucks' groups have also been held," he said.

A total of 41 companies of State Reserve Police (SRP) and 14 companies of paramilitary forces will be deployed in the city for the safe passage of the yatra.

Around 10,000 policemen and 4,500 homeguards will be manning the route and all sensitive areas during and before the rath yatra, Sharma said.

Moreover, an Additional Directer General of Police, 4 Inspector General of Police, 4 DIG, 27 SP/DCP, 90 DySPs, 230 PIs, 350 PSIs and 530 probationer PSIS will be on duty ensure the smooth passage of the rath yatra through communally sensitive areas of the city.

The route will have 24 watch-towers, 10 ambulances, 62 mounted police, 4 quick response teams and 29 police control room vans. The CCTV cameras deployed at 23 locations will run live coverage of the route in a specially made police control room.

All the three main chariots and other 14 vehicles will be equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment.

Bomb detection and disposal squad and sniffer dogs will conduct anti-sabotage check before passing of the rath on the route. 55 videographers will shoot the entire route and identify suspects in the crowd.

Police have been provided with metal detectors, binoculars, night vision binoculars, shock batons, gas guns, bullet-proof jackets, 200 barricade ropes, body protection gears, tear gas shells and dye-markers to identify miscreants.