20 IPS officers assigned big security tasks at the Pushkar ghats

Vijayawada: IPS officers have been assigned major security tasks for the upcoming Krishna pushkaralu. Nearly 20 IPS officers are given the responsibility of security and law & order at the Pushkar ghats so as to avert a repeat of the mishap that happened at Godavari pushkaralu last year.

A senior officer, who was brought here with the blessings of a senior Cabinet minister, has been dropped from monitoring the pushkaralu works. The IG (Intelligence) has instead been entrusted with that responsibility. A report that had appeared in DC about the political posting of a senior officer in Vijayawada Police Commissionerate led to a debate among police officers. As a follow-up action, the department has decided to drop the officer, it is learnt.

Though those in the police department are tight-lipped over entrusting the responsibility of security to IG (Intelligence), preparations have already started on that lines. Around 20 IPS officers will take care of the Pushkar ghats. Some 17 officers will be stationed at ghats and the rest three will be on mobile.

Similarly, 17,000 police personnel will be deployed for the Pushkar security arrangements. All of them will constantly update the officers about the possible traffic jams and other problems.

The senior officer who has been removed from security duty had been criticised in relation to last year's Godavari pushkaralu and Tuni incidents. The IG (Intelligence), who will monitor the overall security arrangements, will be assisted by a senior IPS officer who would exclusively do coordination with the rest of the IPS officers on security duty at the ghats.

A security diagram has been drawn up by the department, which has specifically listed the precautionary measures to be taken right from the Pushkar Nagars to the ghats. The safety and security of the pilgrims in these routes and also area domination aspects would be monitored by the police only. The department is more particular about these special arrangements, which were not in place in the earlier Godavari pushkaralu.

As many as 1,500 CC cameras will be installed for the purpose, and four drone cameras have been ordered, apart from the setting up of police outposts. However, the functioning of CC cameras needs to be monitored by a special officer, as key footage related to Godavari pushkaralu last year was found missing.

About this, Rajahmunundry former MP Undavalli Arunkumar had made a special mention before Somayajulu Commission.