Muktsar SSP reviews security for Maghi Mela

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, December 17

SSP Muktsar Rajbachan Singh Sandhu on Tuesday held a meeting with his subordinates to discuss security arrangements for the coming Maghi Mela. He said that people would not have to face any kind of problem.

The SSP said a number of nakas (checkpoints) would be set up in the district during the mela and some help desks too would be set up. “Besides, 10 watch towers would be placed at busy points to maintain better a vigil through binoculars. A number of CCTV cameras will be installed and cops will patrol on two-wheelers and horses as well,” he said.

Rajbachan Singh Sandhu further informed that the town would be divided into seven sectors and parking lots made for the convenience of public. Heavy vehicles would not be allowed to enter the town during the mela period and some diversion would be created.

“We will call NDRF personnel and divers to avoid any mishap on the gurdwara premises, where a large number of devotees come to take a holy dip in the sarovar (pond). A number of cops will be deployed in and around the gurdwaras for security purposes,” he said.

About the animal fair, he said a gazetted officer would remain present there along with the team. Notably, in the past, every time nearly 4,000 cops are deployed for the mela duty. Personnel from other neighbouring districts, including the SSPs, SPs, DSPs, too are deployed here.

Notably, the Maghi Mela is held every year on the next day of Lohri to commemorate the 40 ‘Muktas’ (liberated ones) who laid down their lives while fighting the last battle of Sikhs against the Mughals in 1705 here, earlier known as ‘Khidrane di dhab’. The entertainment part of the mela, like swings, starts from January 10 and continues till the end of the month or sometimes even for a few more days. Devotees in large numbers too continue visiting the mela for some days.