Kinnar Akhara seeks heavy security for its members during Kumbh

PRAYAGRAJ : The Kinnar Akhara is likely to pose a major challenge to Kumbh mela authorities as far as security of around 5000 members, including 200 foreigners, is concerned.

The members of the akhara will be bringing along gold, silver and other jewellery worth several crores of rupees with them for which they have sought heavy security from the state government.

As per a letter addressed to divisional commissioner Ashish Kumar Goel, who is nodal officer for the mela, copies of which have also been marked to the UP chief secretary, the principal secretary and the Kumbh Mela officer, the Mahamandaleshwar of Kinnar akhara Laxmi Narayan Tripathi has sought heavy deployment of security.

Mahamandaleshwar of Kinnar Akhara Laxmi Narayan Tripathi told HT over the phone from Mumbai that heavy security arrangements had been sought by the akhara from the state government.

“Around 5000 members of the akhara will be participating in Kumbh 2019. Every member will bring along jewellery worth several lakhs. It is an issue of concern for us and so we need security. We will also hire 200 bouncers for our smooth and secure movement in mela area especially on main bathing days. We have sought two companies of Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), paramilitary force besides Kumbh police,” said Tripathi.

In the letter, Tripathi has also sought installation of several closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras around the 25 bigha land to be allotted to the akhara besides 200 Swiss cottages, 200 family cottage tent, 250 normal tents, a kitchen with waterproof roof and surrounded with a tin enclosure, 500 VVIP chairs, a 500x500 metres pandal equipped with proper lighting and sound system.