Security tightened ahead of Janmashtami in Mathura; 4,000 police personnel to be deployed

MATHURA, Aug 30: Days before the Krishna Janmashtami festival, additional police forces have been summoned from all districts of the Agra Zone to manage devotees' influx, with over 4,000 police personnel to be deployed for security and traffic arrangements, officials said on Sunday.

While the festival is being celebrated on September 4 at all major temples -- including those within the Shri Krishna Janmasthan complex -- in Mathura, it will be celebrated on September 5 in Nandgaon.

SSP Shlok Kumar said that, in accordance with Supreme Court directives, a three-tier security arrangement is in place for the Shri Krishna Janmasthan and Shahi Idgah complex. This arrangement is divided into three zones: the 'Red Zone' comprises the temple and Idgah area; the 'Yellow Zone' covers the immediate surrounding vicinity; and the 'Green Zone' encompasses the rest of the city.

Central security forces are deployed in the Red Zone, the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) in the Yellow Zone, and the state police oversee security in the remaining areas. During special festivals like the Shri Krishna Janmashtami, the state police force takes charge of managing the visiting devotees and facilitating smooth access for 'darshan', Kumar said.

He added that the special force deployed for the occasion of Janmashtami would be organised into 17 distinct sectors.

"Each zone will be supervised by an SP-rank officer, while each sector will be under the charge of a DSP-rank officer. They will be assisted by inspectors, sub-inspectors, head constables, and constables. Officers and personnel from the women's wing of the police force will also be deployed to assist women devotees," he said.

In addition to these measures, fire brigades, bomb detection and disposal squads, intelligence units and dog squads will also be specially deployed, the officer said, adding that traffic arriving from Delhi, Haryana, Agra, Bareilly, Bharatpur (Rajasthan), and Gwalior will be diverted.

Vehicles coming from outside the city will not be permitted to enter. Furthermore, on the day of Janmashtami, all vehicular movement towards the Shri Krishna Janmasthan within the city will be restricted, Kumar said.

"More than 125 barriers will be set up on all major routes leading to Mathura-Vrindavan, and vehicles will be directed to designated temporary parking areas. Devotees will have to proceed to the temples on foot. Surveillance will be maintained via drones and CCTV cameras at all key locations, including the Shri Krishna Janmasthan complex, while plain-clothes intelligence teams will monitor the crowd for suspicious individuals," he said.

Watchtowers are also being erected to keep a close eye on the crowd from a distance, the SSP added. (PTI)