MADURAI: Elaborate security arrangements are in place in the city for the Chithirai festival during daily processions and planned for important events such as the celestial wedding of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar, temple car festival and Lord Kallazhagar’s entry into Vaigai river.
From watchtowers to the use of CCTV cameras and drones for monitoring crowds, police are working to ensure safe and smooth conduct of the celebrations.
In the city alone, about 4,000 police personnel are to be deployed, especially after April 13, to ensure public safety and control crowds. About 100 police personnel are being deployed every day at present for the daily processions of deities apart from the usual security strength at Meenakshi Amman temple. A total of 26 watch towers have been set up across the four Masi streets and member of the public are being alerted of crime prevention measures through public address systems. In all, 14 police help desk booths have been set up to aid the public.
Police sources said that for the celestial wedding, about 2,000 people including officials and administrative personnel will be allowed entry through the west tower of the temple. About 6,000 devotees who paid for Rs 500 and Rs 200 tickets are to be allowed via the north tower entrance and about 6,000 devotees from the general public will be allowed for darshan from the south tower.
“Between April 13 and 15, a total of 56 points in the Masi streets and Avani Moola streets have been identified for picketing with 500 police personnel posted on 24x7 picketing duty. Police personnel from other districts are also being planned to be roped in,” said a source. There are 100 functional CCTV cameras being monitored in the Meenakshi Amman temple and processions are also being recorded through video cameras. Additional CCTV cameras are to be put up at important locations. Nearly 10 drone cameras will be used by the police to monitor crowds.
District superintendent of police V Baskaran said about 1,000 police personnel will be on bandobast for the procession of Lord Kallazhagar from Alagarkovil.
