STATE TO SEEK FORCES FROM UTTAR PRADESH FOR KUMBH SECURITY

HARIDWAR: The state government will seek additional police force from Uttar Pradesh to boost security during the Mahakumbh here.

In this regard, chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat will soon meet his Uttar Pradesh counterpart Yogi Adityanath. The matter of requirement of additional police personnel and provincial armed constabulary (PAC) was discussed during a meeting chaired by Rawat in Dehradun on Wednesday.

Kumbh Mela Force officials estimated requirement of at least 1,000 police personnel and 20 companies of PAC from Uttar Pradesh during the peak Mahakumbh phase (April 5-15).

As during this phase, two royal baths (Shahi Snaans) will take place, officials felt that experience of UP police in holding previous Prayag Raj Kumbh will come handy during the Haridwar Mahakumbh.

The Mela Force has also sought 100 communication operator personnel from Uttar Pradesh. Three control rooms will also be made at three bordering districts Muzzafarnagar , Bijnore and Saharanpur of UP for effective sharing of information, intelligence and fair related official communication.

Soon three control rooms will be set up at these three districts police lines of UP which have border with Uttarakhand.

“Whether its security related, traffic update, traffic diversion, directives, or any intelligence input , speedy communication will be provided through these UP-based control rooms,” said assistant superintendent of communications Kumbh Force Mukesh Thakur.

Mela Force inspector general of police Sanjay Gunjiyal said along with central paramilitary forces, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh police, elite National Security Guards commandos will be pitched in for the Mahakumbh duty.

Assistant superintendent of Mahakumbh police force Surjeet Pawar said: “Already, 12 companies of paramilitary forces have arrived while by Maha Shivratri festive bath (March 11) they will be increased to 40 companies.”