Security beefed up in Shimla for Karva Chauth

ibune News service

Shimla, October 16

Elaborate security arrangements have been made for Karva Chauth and security forces have been deployed, besides the police in plain clothes, to do intensive patrolling on The Mall, Lower Bazaar, other markets and The Ridge area to keep a constant vigil on anti-social elements.

The arrangements will remain in place during the festival season till Diwali to ensure that there are no cases of eve-teasing, molestation, chain-snatching, pickpocketing, etc. On Karva Chauth, thousands of fasting women wearing colourful attires and heavy jewellery assemble on The Mall and The Ridge in the evening to sight the moon and the area turns into sea of women accompanied by their spouses, carrying the paraphernalia for worshiping the moon. The couples of all ages keep roaming waiting for the moon as the places are located at a higher altitude and give unobstructed view of the moon.

About 60 additional police personnel have been deployed, besides 300 security personnel, for intensive patrolling, said SP, Shimla, Omapati Jamwal.

He also appealed to the people to visit markets during the day so that there was no overcrowding from 4 to 7 pm. The police had erected nakas to check drunken driving and two Quick Response Teams had been positioned at vulnerable locations to meet any eventuality. Further, CCTV cameras were being checked regularly to ensure that these were functioning. The police had started registration of migrant labourers and specific places had been earmarked for the sale of crackers. Air pollution levels are being checked and people have been urged not to use crackers that increase pollution.