Police get fourth effigy of 'drugs' installed on Dasehra

Amid the colourful effigies of Ravana, Meghnath and Kumbhkaran that have been installed at more than 44 sites across the city today, the police got installed the effigy of a fourth demon - that of drugs. The fourth effigy has been installed at Ladowali Road, Adarsh Nagar and Burlton Park ground Dasehra venues.

Planning to spread across the message against drugs through Dasehra, the police have got readied their own effigies against 'nashe' and shall get these blown up amid a huge crowd of tens of thousands of people while conveying a message of Punjab's fight against drugs. Commissioner of Police Dhanpreet Kaur, DCPs Manpreet Dhillon and Naresh Dogra shall visit these sites to deliver speeches before the effigies go up in smoke.

The police have deployed 1,200 men across the city for ensuring adequate security. "All police personnel shall be out at nakas. Our 10 DSPs have been deputed at the 10 big Dasehra points. Dog squads too have been out checking all vulnerable points", he said. The police have stepped up vigil even at all entry points, bus stand, railway stations and market areas.

Meanwhile, to mark the victory of good over evil, the city is all geared up to soak in Dasehra festivities on Thursday. Nine days of fasting for the Navratris are set to be over. The mythological journey through traditional folk theatre in the form of Ramlila is set to conclude. The Bengali community has made preparations for playing Sindoor Khela and immersion of idols of Goddess Durga.

As the day of victory of Lord Rama and Ravana Dahan is set to arrive, arrangements for the festival have been made at main locations, including Sai Dass School ground, Ladowali Road, Burlton Park, Model House, Central Town, Adarsh Nagar, Friends Colony, Kirti Nagar, Bhargava Camp, Gandhi Camp, Satnam Nagar, Jalandhar Cantt and Beant Singh Park.

The Dasehra committee that holds mela at the Sai Dass School ground has installed effigies of the demon kings which are 90-100 feet tall. Tarsem Kapur, who leads the committee, said, "Our theatre teams will be out to hold a massive shobha yatra through the city before they assemble at the main venue for the last show by the afternoon."

At the Adarsh Nagar ground, the effigies have been beautifully lit up. Since these got installed last night, they have been a centre of attraction for residents. The organisers have also added sound effects that gel with the lights blinking on the faces, eyes and bodies of the three demons.

Ex-Congress MLA Rajinder Beri, who works with Dasehra committee of Ladowali Road, said, "We have made arrangement for 15,000 viewers. There shall be 3,000 seats available around the stage."