Navratra festival begins today amid tight security

Ishrat S Banwait

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, September 30

Security has been doubled at the Mansa Devi temple for the Navratra festival, beginning tomorrow, in the wake of India’s surgical strikes on terrorist launch pads in the PoK. As many as 800 security personnel would be deployed for the fest, said Deputy Commissioner of Police Anil Dhawan.

The shrine board said last year, 400 security personnel were deployed, but this year it had asked for more security. Around 80,000 people are expected to visit the temple tomorrow while the number could swell to 1.25 lakh on Sunday. The security arrangements include six metal detectors, 16 manned nakas and 48 CCTV cameras of which 16 will be installed in the parking areas.

 This year, the chances of a Bollywood celebrity performing at the fest are bleak. Chief executive officer of the temple VC Goyal said, “We are in talks with many celebrities, but it appears they don’t even want to cross Delhi.” He confirmed that Hema Malini won’t be attending the fest.

 Sources said invites had been sent to many union ministers, but none of them had confirmed their participation and they were unlikely to do so. The Navratra festival will be inaugurated by Haryana Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki while Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar will be the chief guest on October 10.