Security stepped up at temples, beaches during Kartika Maasam

Police have stepped up security at beaches, river and canal embankments and temples especially at Shivalayams during the ongoing Kartika Maasam.

Following the stampede at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Kasibugga in Srikakulam district on November 1, which left nine people dead, authorities are focusing on crowd management at shrines.

With heavy rush expected at Shiva temples in Kartika Somavaram on November 10, authorities have reviewed arrangements and security at all temples. Police said drones would be put into service to monitor crowds on beaches and shrines.

“We have issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for all temples in Guntur district. Security will be increased at queue lines, prasadam counters and annadanam areas,” Guntur district Superintendent of Police (SP) Vakul Jindal said.

“Cops have been instructed to carry out security checks and intensify patrolling of river and canal embankments as many devotees are taking holy dip,” said Mr. Vakul Jindal. Hindu on Saturday, November 8th.

West Godavari district SP Adnan Nayeem Asmi said police officers have been instructed to monitor CCTV footage from beaches and temples in Kartika Somavaram around the clock.

“Vehicular and foot patrols were conducted along Perupalem coast and Godavari river embankments at Narsapuram, Achanta and other places,” Mr. Adnan Nayeem said.

The SP said the police visited Pancharama Kshetrams (Sri Someshwara Janardana Swamy temple in Bhimavaram and Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy temple in Palakol) and discussed arrangements for devotees during Kartika Maasam with Endowment Department officers.

NTR Regional Police Commissioner SV Rajashekar Babu said expert swimmers will be posted at the swimming ghats as a precautionary measure.

Eluru district SP K. Pratap Shiva Kishore said pickets have been arranged at Sri Veerabhadra Swamy temple (Pattiseema temple) at Devakuta Parvatam in Godavari river.

“Security has been tightened at all boating points along the river,” said Mr. Pratap Shiva Kishore. At Manginapudi beach, police were seen warning devotees through public address systems and monitoring the situation in Krishna area through drones.