Asom: Troops move in; Ambubachi activities start

Guwahati, June 20: Security forces have taken positions atop the sacred Neelachal Hills as tens of thousands of pilgrims are streaming into the Kamakhya temple for the annual Ambubachi Mela starting June 22.

''We are expecting close to three lakh pilgrims this time but we are equally worried about the security as the militants might do something nasty,'' Secretary of the Temple Trust Navakanta Sharma said.

''We will maintain adequate security so that the pilgrims feel safe. In fact, we are sending two more platoons today,'' a senior officer of the Pandu Zone, requesting anonymity, said.

Although the fair would open from June 22, the vast complex was already teeming with activity. About 600 sadhus have so far resided in the temple complexes.

Mr Sharma said their main concern was to procure food for the devotees and maintain hygiene.

Almost three lakh devotees were expected to offer prayers during the next one week, while the maximum gathering would be on June 27, the day the gates of the temple would be opened.

''We have ensured that no vehicles, except the emergency ones, travel up to the temple gate. We have made arrangements for shuttle buses and the pilgrims can come by that but no individual vehicle shall be allowed. We want to keep the whole complex as secure as possible,'' he added.

The temple, atop a hill on the banks of the Brahmaputra, is dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya, consort of Lord Shiva.

The Board had also arranged metal detectors and started training its security personnel in the use of the device.

''We will put into use five sets of metal detectors,'' Mr Sharma said, adding the Board had already expressed its security apprehensions to the district authorities.

UNI