— SPECIAL DGP LAW AND ORDER ARPIT SHUKLA REVIEWS SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS IN SRI MUKTSAR SAHIB AHEAD OF MAGHI MELA
— 6,000 POLICE PERSONNEL DEPLOYED, CITY DIVIDED INTO SEVEN SECTORS, AERIAL SURVEILLANCE BY DRONES TO ENSURE COMPREHENSIVE SECURITY COVER
CHANDIGARH/SRI MUKTSAR SAHIB, January 12:
Ahead of the historic and sacred Maghi Mela, Special Director General of Police (Special DGP) Law and Order Punjab Arpit Shukla on Monday conducted an extensive review of all security, traffic, and public convenience arrangements in Sri Muktsar Sahib to ensure the event passes off smoothly and securely.
The three-day annual Maghi Mela to commemorate the martyrdom of the Forty Liberated Ones (Chali Mukte) will be held at Sri Muktsar Sahib from January 13 to January 15, 2026.
The Special DGP, accompanied by Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Faridkot Range Nilambari Jagdale and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sri Muktsar Sahib Abhimanyu Rana, undertook a detailed inspection of the Rally venue, vehicle and bus parking lots, Police Saanjh Help Desks, sensitive locations, and nakas established across the city.
Notably, the entire area has been systematically divided into seven sectors and a force of over 6000 police personnel, under the supervision of gazetted rank officers, have been deployed to ensure the safety, orderly movement, and comfort of the lakhs of devotees expected to visit the Mela.
Special DGP Arpit Shukla said that a multi-layered surveillance system including 100 CCTV cameras at 37 key locations, two drone teams for aerial monitoring of crowded and sensitive areas, and a mounted police force for crowd control and area domination have been deployed. A total of 94 nakas (54 outer and 40 inner) have been established with strict checking orders, he said.
He said that to assist pilgrims round the clock, Police Saanjh Help Desks have been set up in every sector, each equipped with medical teams. Additionally, hospitals have been designated in every sector, and an adequate number of ambulances and fire brigades have been strategically stationed across the city to handle any emergency.
The Special DGP said that a special traffic plan has been devised to ensure seamless movement and zero inconvenience to devotees. Heavy vehicles are completely barred from entering the city, and only emergency vehicles will be allowed on designated routes. To manage the influx, 10 parking spaces have been earmarked on all roads leading into the city, and six temporary bus stands have been established, he said, while addin that for the safety of devotees and due to massive footfall, a 300-meter radius around Gurdwara Sahib has been declared a strict no-vehicle zone.
Chairing a meeting with gazetted officers of the external force and senior district police officials, Special DGP Arpit Shukla directed all personnel to perform their duties with utmost dedication, alertness, and responsibility.
Meanwhile, Citizens were urged to immediately report any suspicious activity or vital information to the Police Helpline Number 80542-70100.
