After I-Day hectic security measures, cops relax a bit

Just like a solider is never off duty, a cop is also never off duty. After days of hectic security measures in view of Independence Day that was celebrated on Friday, the police are now on toes for security in view of the Janmashtami festival.

Today, the presence of cops on roads was less, but many of them were deployed around religious shrines due to the Janmashtami festival.

“The festival season has just commenced. Owing to the Janmashtami festival, people are thronging the temples in huge numbers,” said Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar while adding that adequate security measures are in place to thwart any untoward incident. He said cops are also deployed to regulate traffic near various shrines.

The police have been put on high alert for the past couple of weeks in view of Independence Day functions and because some anti-national forces had issued threats to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere in the country.

A few days ago, pro-Khalistan slogans have appeared at three places in Amritsar — outside the district courts, near Khalsa College and outside a temple. Nevertheless, the two Batala-based accused, including a juvenile, were arrested by the police in this connection. US-based designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu of the banned organisation, Sikhs for Justice, had taken the responsibility of scribbling these slogans.

A police official said after the peaceful passage of the Independence Day celebrations, the police personnel are relaxed a little, but are not off guard. “We have been on alert always and still on duty,” he said.

“With the holy city having a diverse culture, there are a number of famous temples and a huge rush of devotees are visiting these shrines to pay obeisance to mark the Janamastami festival,” he pointed out.