Elaborate security arrangements in place for Mela Kheer Bhawani: SSP Ganderbal

Ganderbal, June 12: Police on Wednesday said that elaborated security arrangements had been made for the Mela Kheerbawani in the Tulmulla area of Ganderbal district.

Mela Kheer Bhawani, one of the most important festivals of Kashmiri Pandit community, will be celebrated on June 14 during which a large number of devotees, particularly Kashmiri Pandits are expected to visit Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple.

“In the backdrop of terrorist incidents in Jammu division and past incidents, stringent security arrangements have been made for the devotees visiting Kheer Bhawani,” Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ganderbal, Sandeep Gupta told media persons at Kheer Bhawani Temple here.

He visited Kheer Bhawani Temple and assessed the security measures in place.

Gupta said that the modus operandi of the terrorists had been studied and devotees had nothing to worry about while visiting the shrine as stringent security arrangements had been placed to thwart any nefarious designs.

“We have made all arrangements for the devotees from their arrival and staying here and adequate security personnel have been deployed for their safety,” he said.

Gupta said that besides J&K Police, the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) and the Army have been involved in providing security to the devotees.

“We have kept our domination on all the movement of the devotees including their convoy and non-convoy arrival to the shrine,” he said.

Gupta said that besides the security set up, security forces would also use drones, CCTV cameras, and X-ray machines.

He urged the yatris to follow guidelines provided by the authorities completely and cooperate with the security forces during their yatra period.

Meanwhile, hundreds of yatris arrived at Kheer Bhawani temple in Tulmulla on Wednesday using different modes of transport. The devotees were received and welcomed by the locals and civil and Police administration including Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ganderbal, Shyambir and SSP Ganderbal.