Unprecedented security for Ardh Kumbh mela before 1st Shahi Snan

Ardh Kumbh Nagar, Jan 13 (UNI) An unprecedented security arrangement has been made in and around the Ardh Kumbh mela area ahead of the first Shahi Snan (Royal Bath) tomorrow amid information that terrorists could strike in disguise of sadhus.

With many Shankaracharyas, mahants of various akharas and the saints, including some celebrities like Swami Ram Dev, Morari Bapu, residing in the mela area, the Uttar Pradesh government is leaving no stone unturned to ensure fool-proof security.

The elite group of 'terrorist spotters' has already been deployed at sensitive spots and an intensive checking is on as more than five million pilgrims are expected to take a holy dip in Sangam, the confluence of three rivers -- the Ganga, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati.

As per the information received by the Ardh Kumbh administration, there was an apprehension that terrorists could be present in the garb of sadhus and pilgrims and to spot them would be an ''uphill'' task for the police.

Anti-mine equipment, anti-sabotage and quick Response Teams (QRTs) have been pressed into service to combat any untoward situation, the highly placed sources told UNI here.

The Army has also been put on high alert with its secuirty weaponry and expertise, the sources said.

Meanwhile, the mela administration banned the entry of vehicles in the mela area from this afternoon. Earlier, it was scheuled to prohibit vehciles from this evening, but due to certain security reasons, the authorities changed the schedule.

Sector five, where all the thirteen akharas are situated, is under the security agencies scanner while special attention was being given to the security of Mahadev temple, Hanuman temple and Kalyan mandap in view of the terrorist attacks on religious places.

The Chief Secretary Naveen Chandra Bajpayee and UP Director General of Police (DGP) Bua Singh reviewed the arrangements here yesterday.

Over nine hundred million devotees are expected to visit the month-long Ardh Kumbh, held every six years on the banks of Sangam.

The mela, which started on January 3 with first auspicious bathing on Paush Purnima, will have Makar Sankranti (January 14 and 15), Mauni Amavasya (Jan 19), Basant Panchami (Jan 23), Maghi Purnima (Feb 2) and Maha shivratri (Feb 16) as other main bathing days.

The secuirty arrangements would be on real test on the Mauni Amavasya day when about ten million pilgrim are expected to take a holy dip in the sacred waters of Sangam.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Ardh Kumbh, Rajiv Sabbarwal refused to divulge on the intelligence input about the terrorist attack, but said the Mela police was fully equipped to thwart any nefarious design.

He said all the entry points of the Mela had been tighetned in terms of security as well as suspected vistors were being frisked thoroughly.

The vigil is being further augmented as the pilgrims in large numbers have started flocking the mela area a day before the first major bathing day.

As many as 28 police stations, 35 police outposts, 26 fire station, five police lines and five missing and found centres have already been opened in the mela area, including ten anti-sabotage team, to keep a vigil on the activities of suspected and anti-social elements.

Ten companies of PAC, three companies of BSF, 24 companies of CRPF, five companies of river police, besides 11,000 jawans of civil police, homeguards are manning the mela site.

UNI