Sant Tukaram Palki commences amid tight police security

Pune, June 17 (UNI) Amid tight police security, in anticipation of possible terrorist threat, the annual religious event of taking out out a procession of the Sant Tukaram Palki commenced here today.

The police have taken adequate precautions to avoid any untoward incident during the annual ritual where thousands of devotees of the 'Warkari' sect among others undertake an entire journey on foot which takes nearly a month and culminates in a visit to Pandharpur on Aashadi Ekadashi day which will fall on July 7 this year, police said.

The other Palki of Dnyaneshwar Maharaj will start from Alandi on Monday and ample police protection will be provided, to enable a smooth and safe journey to the pilgrims, police said.

The annual ritual attracts thousands of devotees all along the route including common people also who participate in singing bhajans and kirtans at various points. Both the palkis - Sant Tukaram Palki and Sant Dnyaneshwar Palki-will meet at Wakhari near Pundharpur.

The devotees will be fed by various social and cultural organisations enroute and have an overnight stop at various places in the city specially provided for the devotees.

Police informed that over 100 police officers and 2,000 constables have been deployed to avoid any untoward incident. A special police team consisting of 300 new recruits, including 100 women, are pressed into service to help 70 offices from Pune. Another 550 policeman, including 300 from Pune district, 180 from other districts and one troop of state Reserve Police Force (SRPF) will also be present.

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