Deployment of 5,000 Officers for Makaravilakku Festival at Sabarimala Temple
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Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 12 (NationPress) The Kerala Police are preparing to deploy 5,000 officers for the upcoming Makaravilakku festival at the Sabarimala hill shrine, taking place on January 14.
The event is anticipated to attract at least 250,000 devotees to the temple.
According to a statement released on Saturday, of the 5,000 officers, 1,800 will be assigned to Sannidhanam, 800 at Pampa, 700 at Nilakkal, 1,050 in Idukki, and 650 in Kottayam.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Rapid Action Force (RAF) will also assist in ensuring safety and security.
Sheikh Darvesh Sahib, the Kerala State Police Chief, visited Sabarimala on Saturday to assess the preparations for the festival.
Thorough arrangements have been established to allow devotees to view the Makara Jyothi and to descend the hill without complications.
The police have formulated a specialized deployment strategy for the Thiruvabharanam procession, which is set to arrive at the Sabarimala temple on the evening of Makaravilakku day. This plan involves the deployment of an SP, 12 DySPs, and 31 Circle Inspectors, along with 1,440 personnel.
Security measures have been intensified at all key locations, ensuring close collaboration among the police, fire and rescue services, and the NDRF.
A high-level meeting with all relevant departments is scheduled for Sunday to finalize the arrangements. Senior officials will oversee operations from critical locations.
ADGP S. Sreejith has been designated as the Special Police Officer at the temple's Sannidhanam. South Zone Inspector General of Police Syam Sundar will supervise Pampa, DIG Ajeetha Begum will manage preparations at Nilakkal, and DIG Satheesh Bino will oversee the Erumeli-Idukki region.
An exit strategy has been devised to handle the crowds after the festival, ensuring that devotees can safely and efficiently descend. This plan will be activated if required.
It is significant to remember that in 2011, a tragic incident occurred during the Makaravilakku festival, resulting in the loss of 106 lives due to a crowd crush at Pullumedu near Sabarimala. This event took place on January 14, 2011, during Makara Jyothi Day and was subsequently classified as a national disaster. The tragedy unfolded as pilgrims were leaving the shrine on the final day of the festival, which annually attracts vast numbers of devotees.
