Bhubaneswar: Ahead of major cultural festivals in Odisha, including the Kartik Purnima celebrations in Puri and the Boita Bandana Utsav along with Bali Yatra in Paradip of Jagatsinghpur district, the Odisha Police has issued a high-level security deployment order to ensure the safety of devotees, tourists, and locals.
The directive, issued with the approval of Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, assigns senior IPS officers to oversee policing during these high-profile events, emphasizing the importance of coordinated security measures.
Top Officers Assigned for Festival Security
According to an official statement from Odisha Police Headquarters in Cuttack, Additional Director General of Police (Modernisation) Soumendra Kumar Priyadarshi has been placed in overall charge of security operations in Puri for the Kartik Purnima festival. Priyadarshi will supervise deployment strategies, coordinate with local police units, and ensure seamless crowd management in the temple town, which is expected to see a large influx of devotees during the auspicious festival.
For the Boita Bandana Utsav and Bali Yatra festivities in Paradip, Jagatsinghpur district, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Cuttack Range, Satyajit Naik will oversee security arrangements. He will coordinate with district police officials, local administration, and disaster management teams to maintain law and order and ensure smooth conduct of the traditional maritime and trade celebrations.
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Coordinated Measures for Public Safety
The Odisha Police has emphasized that the deployment of senior officers is part of a broader strategy to ensure the safety of participants and visitors during these large-scale cultural events. Both Puri and Paradip are expected to witness heavy crowds, and authorities have planned traffic management, emergency response mechanisms, and patrolling strategies to prevent untoward incidents.
Festival organizers and local police units have been instructed to work in tandem, ensuring a seamless experience for devotees and tourists while upholding the highest standards of security and public order.
Focus on Tradition and Tourism
Kartik Purnima, Boita Bandana Utsav, and Bali Yatra are among Odisha’s most iconic cultural celebrations, attracting thousands of visitors from across India and abroad. These festivals not only hold religious and traditional significance but also boost local tourism and commerce. The Odisha Police’s proactive approach underscores its commitment to maintaining safety while allowing devotees and visitors to partake in the festivities without any disruption.
