Security beefed up in Bihar for peaceful Dussehra festival

Patna Oct 1(UNI) The Bihar government has beefed up security arrangements for peaceful celebrations of Dussehra.

The administration have also sounded alert across the state. The state administration was keeping hawks eye to prevent any untoward incident during the Dussehra festival in view of the rush of devotees all over the state. Two companies of Rapid Action Force (RAF) and 18 companies of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) had been deployed to maintain law and order during the festival.

State Home secretary Afzal Amannulah said here that all district magistrates and police superintendents had been asked to take all possible measures to maintain peace and harmony during the festival.

The DMs and SPs of some of the sensitive districts have been given special instructions to maintain peace in their jurisdiction during the festival.

Rapid Action Force (RAF) had been deployed in some the sensitive districts which have history of disturbances during Dussehra festival.

He said separate police teams have been conducting round the clock patrolling. The district police had been deployed in and around the puja pandals. Special arrangements had also been made for immersion of Godess Durga idols once the festival was over, he said and informed that the administration had been asked to allow the idol immersion processions through particular routes.

The officials have also been asked to ensure plying of only registered boats and prevent overloading on them in order to prevent any untoward incident.

Mr Amanullah said that the alert sounded for Dussehra would continue for five weeks in view of the on going month of Ramzan. He said the RAF and CRPF would remain deployed till Chhath festival.

UNI RS JYN DB1619