Date:15/01/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/01/15/stories/2004011502542200.htm

National

At the Ganga Sagar Mela

By Marcus Dam

Devotees offering prayer to the Sun God before taking a holy dip in Gangasagar on the occasion of Makarsankranti. — Photo: Parth Sanyal

KOLKATA, JAN. 14. Nearly two lakh pilgrims have converged at Sagar Island, one among the cluster of islands at the southeastern tip of West Bengal, for a religious dip at the point where the Ganga joins the Bay of Bengal on the occasion of Mahasankranti.

Thousands flocked the river bank before the crack of dawn today. Others will observe the ritual tomorrow.

The level of security is unprecedented for the Ganga Sagar Mela, which entered its second day today. The attack on a temple in Jammu some weeks ago has prompted the law-enforcement agencies to use sophisticated hand-held, door-frame and special metal detectors in their search for any hidden explosive.

The West Bengal Inspector-General of Police (Law and Order), Chayan Mukherjee, told The Hindu here today that nearly 5,000 policemen had been deployed. This force was being supplemented by personnel of the Border Security Force and the Coast Guard to ensure law and order. A closed circuit television system is in place at various points on the mela grounds and a four-seater aircraft and a hovercraft belonging to the Coast Guard are standing by. A vigil is being maintained in the vicinity of the Kapil Muni temple where pilgrims have been congregating to offer prayers.

The death of a middle-aged woman in one of the temporary shelters put up for pilgrims is being investigated, Mr. Mukherjee said. The body has been sent for post-mortem.