DG&IGP reviews Dasara security

• Dr. M.A. Saleem and Seema Latkar inspect key Dasara venues
• 10,000 personnel to streamline VVIP movement, crowd control

Mysuru: Ahead of the Mysuru Dasara celebrations, Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG&IGP) Dr. M.A. Saleem arrived in Mysuru from Bengaluru yesterday and chaired a high-level security meeting at the Office of the City Police Commissioner.

The meeting was attended by Mysuru City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar, Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi, Deputy Commissioners of Police (Law and Order) Dr. Harsha Priyamvada and (Crime and Traffic) K.S. Sundar Raj, along with ACPs, Inspectors and senior Police officers from Mounted Police, KSRP, City Armed Reserve and District Armed Reserve.

After the meeting, the DG&IGP visited major Dasara venues where events will be held for 11 days, including the Mysore Palace, Yuva Dasara venue and the Torchlight Parade Grounds, to review security arrangements.

VVIPs galore

Sources told Star of Mysore that the DG&IGP directed the Police to make elaborate security arrangements in view of the expected visit of Chief Ministers of all Southern States to the Dasara celebrations on Vijayadashami, as desired by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.

With a large number of Chief Ministers and other VVIPs and VIPs expected to attend the celebrations, the Police are also anticipating a higher turnout of visitors this year.

Picture shows City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar in discussion with the DG&IGP during the inspection at Torchlight Parade Grounds in Bannimantap last evening.

Security arrangements at Bannimantap will be reviewed and strengthened, particularly in view of the Drone Show and Torchlight Parade being held at night. Separate routes for VVIP convoys, adequate parking facilities and clear access routes for the Governor, Chief Minister, visiting Chief Ministers and other VVIPs will be put in place, the DG&IGP directed.

He instructed officers to ensure smooth movement of crowds at all venues and stressed the need to prevent stampedes, overcrowding and incidents of public confrontation.

Focus on high-footfall events

Special attention will be given to high-footfall events such as Yuva Dasara at Uthanahalli Grounds and the Kambala (buffalo race), which is being held near VTU in Mysuru for the first time. The Kambala event will be conducted over 48 hours. Organisers are being given necessary training to prevent untoward incidents and panic caused by the buffaloes during the event.

Taller and stronger barricades will be installed along both sides of the main procession route from Balarama Gate to K.R. Circle. Police will also keep a strict watch to prevent spectators from climbing weak or dilapidated structures and trees.

10,000 Cops expected

While the Mysuru City Police will be deployed in full strength, an additional 6,000 personnel are being brought in from other districts, taking the total Police deployment to around 10,000. Senior officers at SP, DIG and IGP levels will  also be deployed.

Arrangements are being made for food and accommodation for the personnel arriving from outside Mysuru. The local Police have also been instructed to coordinate with nearby hospitals in advance to reserve emergency wards, arrange dedicated medical staff and keep medical contingency teams ready.

The DG&IGP said, all necessary measures would be taken to ensure a peaceful and safe Dasara and smooth movement of visitors and the public.

Traffic ACP M. Shivashankar and Palace Security ACP Chandrashekhar were also present.