Security up at Golden Temple

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 7

In the wake of the Pathankot terror attack, special security arrangements have been put in place in and around the Golden Temple here.

Special police squads, equipped with bomb detection sensing devices, were spotted frisking every nook and corner of the shrine today.

Police Commissioner JS Aulakh said special arrangements had been made as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of the shrine.

“Golden Temple is visited by over 1 lakh tourists daily from all over the world. We have started special security exercise at the temple and the Galliara area wherein trained well-equipped squad has been pressed into service to scrutinise the vulnerable points. Besides, another religious destination — Durgiana Mandir — and the Guru Ram Dass Ji International Airport too have kept under a close watch. It will be a routine exercise and our teams will visit the places at any time of the day to conduct inspection. The time will not be disclosed due to security concerns,” he said.

On its end, the SGPC too has got ready to deal with any untoward situation. Additional security force personnel have been stationed around the temple complex.

SGPC’s Chief Secretary Harcharan Singh said vulnerable points were being monitored through CCTV cameras and a circular has been issued not to allow any baggage inside the complex.

“Directives have been issued to our task force and CCTV operators to be more vigilant. Earlier, small bags were allowed in, but now onwards the devotees will be asked to deposit all their bags in the Gathdi Ghar (lockers’ room) before gaining entry into the complex,” he said.

A total of around 200 cameras are there on the premises of the Golden Temple. Of these, there are 25 multi-dimension high-end cameras.

There is a control room set up especially to operate these CCTVs 24X7. A dedicated team comprising a supervisor and four employees in each shift are on a vigil throughout the day. Besides, five wireless operators are there in each shift to respond.

Vigilance increased at railway stations

Amritsar: RR Verma, Director General of Railway Protection Force (RPF), said in view of the Pathankot terror strike, surveillance at railway stations had been increased. He was here on Thursday to take stock of security arrangements at the Amritsar Railway Station. Verma said high definition cameras, baggage scanners, weapons and explosive detectors would also be installed at strategic railway stations in the country. On contraband being smuggled into India via trains, he said vigilance would be increased on all trains travelling between India and Pakistan. He said bags were already being searched on these trains. TNS