Nagpur Police draw up major security plan for Dhammachakra Pravartan Din and Navratri

Nagpur Police have begun preparing a large security plan for the 70th Dhammachakra Pravartan Din and Navratri, which are approaching. Large crowds are expected at the city's main religious and cultural sites, so preparations have been started early.

A meeting to review the security arrangements was held under the chairmanship of Police Commissioner Dr Vishwas Nangare Patil. Officials of the police department, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation, the district administration, NIT, MSEDCL and the Food and Drug Administration took part.

According to the schedule fixed by the administration, Navratri will begin on October 11. The 70th Dhammachakra Pravartan Din and Vijayadashami will be observed on October 20.

Security at key locations

A large number of devotees and followers are likely to arrive at Deekshabhoomi, Bajaj Nagar, the Dragon Palace at Kamptee and Naglok at Bhilgaon. Police officers have been ordered to deploy adequate personnel at sensitive and highly sensitive locations, religious sites, procession routes and other crowded places.

The administration is also working on arrangements for traffic planning, parking, CCTV monitoring, drinking water, sanitation, power supply, medical facilities and emergency response systems.

Separate security arrangements will be made for Navratri events. These include garba and dandiya programmes, Durga idol immersion processions and public mandals.

Preparations recently made for the city's major festivals also included extensive monitoring through CCTV and drones, special police teams, quick response teams and emergency response equipment.

Emphasis on safety of women and children

Special measures are being drawn up for the safety of women and children. All departments concerned have been told to work in coordination with one another.

Police have appealed to citizens to celebrate the festivals peacefully, follow official instructions, and neither believe nor spread rumours.

During the current festive period, Nagpur Police have kept in place restrictions under Section 163 of the BNSS on certain high-capacity sound systems and laser and beam lights.

Preparations for Dhammachakra Pravartan Din are under way in coordination among government departments. Arrangements for sanitation, health, security and other necessary facilities are being reviewed ahead of the October 20 event.