Hola Mohalla from March 5

Our Correspondent

Una, February 25

Ten-day annual Hola Mohalla, organised at the Dera Baba Badbhag Singh shrine in Mairi village of Una district, will be held from March 5 to 15. This was stated by Deputy Commissioner Vikas Labroo at a meeting to review the arrangements for the fair at Mairi village today.

The DC said keeping in view the fact that about 8 to 10 lakh devotees attended the fair, 1,600 security personnel, including those from the Himachal Police and Home Guards, would be on duty. He said Additional District Magistrate Rajesh Kumar Maria had been nominated as the Mela Magistrate, while Amb SDM Sunil Verma would be the Assistant Mela Magistrate. Labroo said ferrying devotees in trucks and tractor trolleys, use of loud speakers, brass bands, beating of drums, display of traditional martial art and carrying firearms would be banned during the fair. He said 150 temporary toilets and mobile dust bins would be installed at different locations by the Amb Panchayat Samiti to maintain hygiene, while use of polythene bags would not be permitted. The DC directed the IPH Department to ensure that clean drinking water was supplied to devotees. He also directed the Health Department to set up six dispensaries at the site.

SP Anupam Sharma said quick response teams would be on alert to deal with any emergency.