Gujarat Police beef up security for Lord Jagannath Yatra in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad (Gujarat), June 19 (ANI): Elaborate security arrangements were made in Ahmedabad on Tuesday for the 135th Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra to be held from Thursday.

Policemen and paramilitary personnel patrolled the streets to ensure safe passage for the chariot procession.

Joint Commissioner of Police Ajay Kumar said the police conducted a mock drill to fine tune security and safety measures for the June 21 procession.

"Police officials have been deployed in sufficient numbers. The arrangements necessary for the procession have been made," said Kumar.

Kumar also said that 19 CCTV cameras and GPS (Global Positioning Services) have been installed to keep a track of the chariot procession.

"This time we are using the technological inputs, including GPS to enable us to check any part of the procession at any point of time. We have also installed CCTV cameras at 19 places and cameras at police stations in Shapur and Dariapur to keep a check on any suspicious object or person. The direct replay will take place in the police control room, so that they can supervise from there and take required action if needed," added Kumar.

At least 14 companies of the Rapid Action Force and 41 companies of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) are expected to be deployed for the event.

The procession is an annual feature in Gujarat and is taken on the day of 'Ashadh Beej', a day, on which, the famous Rath Yatra is also taken out in Puri, Odisha.

The festival marks the return of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra to their home Vrindavan after a long gap.

According to Hindu religious texts, Jagannath is the reincarnation of Lord Krishna who along with his elder brother Balabhadra or Balaram and sister Subhadra are worshipped in the Puri temple known as Shrimandira.

Lakhs of devotees assemble at the grand road to witness this divine procession. (ANI)