CHANDIGARH, Nov 13: The Punjab Police has cast a wide net of security deploying advanced surveillance for the safety of devotees ahead of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary K A P Sinha reviewed preparations related to the ‘Shaheedi Shatabdi Samagam’ of the ninth Sikh Guru at Sri Anandpur Sahib.
Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla on Thursday said the grand commemorative event, to be held at Sri Anandpur Sahib from November 23 to 25, is expected to draw lakhs of devotees.
Shukla, along with Special DGP Security Sudhanshu S Srivastava, took stock of the security and traffic arrangements in Anandpur Sahib earlier in the day.
The special DGP said that around 10,000 boots will be on the ground for the safety of the visitors under the supervision of an additional director general of police rank nodal officer.
Seven inspector general, deputy IGs rank officers, 22 commandants, 45 superintendents of police, and 94 deputy superintendents of police will be deployed for the three-day event.
Shukla said that a high-tech control room is being set up with more than 300 AI CCTV cameras equipped with facial recognition, 10 PTZ (Pan Tilt Zoom) cameras, and 25 ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras at all entry and exit points of the city.
Seven drone teams will provide continuous aerial surveillance, he said in an official statement.
“To create deterrence and pre-empt any untoward incident, data pertaining to snatchers in and around the Rupnagar district has also been integrated with the facial recognition system. Mounted police patrolling and smart barricades will also be utilised for effective law and order maintenance,” the officer said.
The police have tied up with IIT Ropar to scientifically map parking spaces, across 30 lots in all, spanning 101 acres.
A round-the-clock shuttle service will ferry devotees to venues and three tent cities with a total capacity of 10,000 persons are being set up.
A pedestrian road along the highway and 60 outer divergence points and checkpoints will be established to regulate vehicle flow.
Eight helipads are being set up to ensure smooth arrival of VVIP guests, Shukla said.
Meanwhile, the chief secretary said that on November 22, four ‘nagar kirtans’ (religious processions) will arrive at Sri Anandpur Sahib, while on November 23, the ‘Akhand Path Sahib’ will commence at Guru Ka Chhaoni, Buddha Dal.
On the two days, a Sarv Dharam Sammelan (Interfaith Conference) will be organised where Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is slated to be present, a statement said.
Sinha said that from November 23 to 29, a drone show with 500 drones will depict the life, teachings, and sacrifice of the Guru.
A light and sound show will be mounted on November 20 at Charan Ganga Stadium, while the Bhog of the Akhand Path Sahib will take place on November 25.
The Punjab government will organise guided tours and heritage walks for the people to learn about the historical sites associated with the 9th Sikh guru.
The chief minister, cabinet ministers, and MLAs will participate in the Sees Bhent Nagar Kirtan which will be carried from Gurdwara Bibangarh Sahib to Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib.
A special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha will be held on November 24 at Bhai Jaita Ji Memorial.
Sinha said the Punjab government is making every effort to make the Shaheedi Shatabdi Samagam historic and memorable complete with spiritual fulfillment. (PTI)
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