12,000 cops roped in for Medaram jatara

Medaram (Mulugu): A huge posse of police personnel would be deployed to make sure the ensuing four-day biennial Sammakka Saralamma jatara go hassle free. Inspector General (IG), North Zone Y Nagi Reddy along with Mulugu Superintendent of Police Sangramsingh G Patil inspected the security arrangements at Medaram on Wednesday.

He said that the State would utilise the services of a whopping 12,000 police personnel for the tribal fair, scheduled to begin on February 5.

The police would monitor the security arrangements and flow of devotees through 350 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras from the Command and Control Room.

Referring to the bike patrolling, he said that as many as 100 two wheelers have been provided to policemen to reach the troublesome spots within no time.

He said that their focus would be on crowd management. The Special Officers were deployed for crowd management at the altars and to monitor the traffic movement.

The one-way restriction on the routes leading to Medaram would be in force to avoid traffic snarls, he said.

Devotees arriving in vehicles from Warangal have to take Pasra and Narlapur route to reach Medaram. On their return, they have to take the route of Bhupalpally and Parkal.

The vehicles of VVIPs and RTC buses will have to go to Medaram via Tadvai and the same will be on the return journey, IG said. He advised the devotees not to stop their vehicles on the roads as it could lead to traffic congestion. The motorists should stop their vehicles only at the designated parking spots, he said.

Meanwhile, the Fire department also chalked out its plans for the Medaram jatara.

Divisional Fire Officer M Bhagavan Reddy said 11 firefighters have been made available at Medaram. This apart, nine mist bullets (fire extinguishers on two wheelers) will also be used to put off minor fire mishaps.

He said the fire engines were deployed at Chilukalagutta, the altars, Jampanna Vagu, RTC bus station, helipad, Narlapur, Chintal cross and at Tadvai. The IG also inspected Jampanna vagu (stream) where devotees take holy bath and parking areas. Warangal Commissioner of Police V Ravinder was also present.