Tight Security Measures in Kulasekarapattinam for Dussehra Festival with 3,700 Police Personnel Deployed
Extensive security is in place for the Dussehra festival in Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu, with 3,700 police officers deployed.
Kulasekarapattinam, October 20 (Daily Kiran) : In Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu, significant security measures have been implemented for the Dussehra festival, particularly for the prominent ‘Soorasamharam’ ceremony at the Mutharamman Temple. Authorities have deployed 3,700 police personnel to manage the expected influx of devotees.
The coastal town, near Thoothukudi, is anticipating millions of attendees for this major event. To ensure the safety of both pilgrims and the general public, police have ramped up surveillance and called in reinforcements from neighboring districts.
The festivities commenced on October 11 with a traditional flag hoisting ceremony. Since then, devotees from Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, and other areas have been arriving at the pilgrimage site. Many participants have adhered to fasting and strict religious observances, often dressed in special attire.
Superintendent of Police Shivaprasad stated that four police superintendents will oversee the security arrangements, supported by 14 additional superintendents and 47 deputy superintendents. This deployment is crucial for the main festival days, when large crowds are expected.
Officers in civilian clothing will also be present. To aid in monitoring and assist attendees, ten watchtowers and around 50 police assistance centers have been established. The festival area is equipped with seven mobile surveillance camera vehicles and over 300 fixed cameras.
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras have been installed on three main roads to track vehicles entering and exiting the town. A monitoring screen has been set up at the Kulasekarapattinam police station to provide a continuous surveillance feed for officers.
Additionally, five drone cameras will be utilized for aerial monitoring, while five facial recognition cameras will help identify any suspicious individuals. The police have uploaded over 1,000 images of known criminals into this identification system. If a person whose image is in the database comes within camera range, officers can monitor their activities and take appropriate action.
As devotees continue to arrive, the extensive security and surveillance network will play a vital role during the festival’s most significant events scheduled for Tuesday night.
