Nagpur Police step up security ahead of Dhammachakra Pravartan Din, Vijayadashami and Navratri

Nagpur Police have stepped up law-and-order and security preparations ahead of the 70th Dhammachakra Pravartan Din, Vijayadashami and Navratri. Large crowds of devotees and residents are expected in the city during the festivals. A review meeting was held on Wednesday under Police Commissioner Vishwas Nangre Patil.

The meeting discussed security arrangements, traffic management and preventive action in detail. Joint Commissioner Navinchandra Reddy and other senior police officers were present. Office-bearers of the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Smarak Samiti Deekshabhoomi, Dragon Palace and Nagloke also attended, as did officials of the municipal corporation, NIT, Mahavitaran and the Food and Drug Administration.

The Police Commissioner directed officers to ensure adequate police deployment in sensitive and hypersensitive areas, places of worship, procession routes, crowded spots and major intersections.

Processions will be taken out on Dhammachakra Pravartan Din and Vijayadashami, and special traffic arrangements will be made for them. Officers have been asked to firm up procession routes, parking areas, crowd control and arrangements for immediate action in an emergency. Adequate police personnel will be deployed at key locations.

During Navratri, garba and dandiya events, goddess immersion processions and public mandals draw crowds. The meeting also reviewed security at these places. Directions were given to take special measures for the safety of women and children, to monitor event venues through CCTV and to keep traffic smooth. Police will also remain alert to rumours and objectionable messages.

Separately, a dialogue session on security was held at the auditorium hall of the Nagpur City Police Commissionerate, chaired by Commissioner Nangre Patil, with leading doctors and representatives of medical institutions in the city. Dr Sachin Gathe, president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Nagpur, and Dr Manjusha Giri, president of the IMA's Maharashtra state unit, were the chief guests. Joint Commissioner Navinchandra Reddy inaugurated the session.

Commissioner Nangre Patil said plainly that the safety of doctors and medical staff who provide healthcare is a highly sensitive subject. He said in firm terms that any assault or violence against doctors or health workers would not be tolerated at all.