Karnataka - Mysore

Mysore police geared up for Dasara show

MYSORE: The Mysore police on Monday announced that elaborate security arrangements had been made for Dasara festivities and sought people’s support to counter attempts to disturb peace during the celebrations.

City Police Commissioner S. Parashivamurthy said the police were fully geared to provide security and asked the people not to have any apprehensions.

“Visitors should alert us if they find any person whose movements aroused suspicion and if they find any abandoned articles,” he said, addressing a press conference.

He said police teams would monitor vehicles entering the city through the nine connecting highways and added that hi-tech equipment would be deployed on the highways.

“Eight interceptors had been sought from the State police headquarters for deployment,” he said.

The commissioner said security at Mysore Palace and Chamundi Hills had been tightened and closed-circuit cameras fixed there. X-ray scanners had been installed at the palace for checking visitors’ baggage.

Besides, CCTVs would be installed along the Dasara procession route. Mr. Parashivamurthy said: “More men have been pressed into service for intelligence gathering and the community police officers will monitor any suspicious activity.”

The bomb disposal squad from Bangalore would camp here till the festivities were over, he said.

Mr. Parashivamurthy said the district police were keeping strict vigil on inter-State borders to check infiltration.

“The police are keeping an eye on workers and labourers who have migrated to the bordering taluks from neighbouring States. We have collected information on them,” the commissioner said.

Mr. Parashivamurthy admitted to having received an advisory from the Centre on security arrangements here owing to the general threat perception. “As such, there is no specific direction to us from Centre about security in Mysore. The advisory has been sent to us because of the sensitive situation following the terror attacks,” he said.

Mr. Parashivamurthy said hospitals in the city centre had been asked to reserve beds. The KPTCL had been asked to ensure uninterrupted power supply and the fire and emergency services had been directed to keep its men and machinery ready.

“All these are precautionary measures to keep us prepared for emergencies,” he observed.

Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police (Southern range) J.V. Goankar said the police in districts that border Mysore have also tightened security.

“We have alerted the police in the southern districts, mainly Mandya and Chamarajanagar, on the situation and asked them to conduct checks on hotels and resorts,” he said.

He said that quick action teams had been set up to handle emergencies. Besides, additional policemen and Home Guards were being deployed for security at sensitive locations.

Security at Nanjangud, Srirangapatna and Krishnaraja Sagar had been beefed up, as they attract tourists in large numbers, he said.

DCP (Law and Order) V.S. D’Souza was present.

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