Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 15 (UNI) Kerala Police will deploy 15,259 police personnel in four stages during the coming Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season at Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala.
Top officials, including DIGs and Additional DGPs will monitor security arrangements in Sabarimala, which has been divided into six zones.
Kerala DGP Loknath Behra, who reached Sabarimala on Wednesday afternoon, attended a meeting of top police officials and finalised the security arrangements.
In addition, 55 officials in the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP) and Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), 113 DYSPs, 359 Inspectors, 1,450 SIs, 60 women officials in the rank of CI and SI, and 860 civil police officers will be on duty.
During the first stage between November 15 and 30, about 3,450 personnel, including 230 women police personnel, 349 SIs, 82 CIs and 24 Dy SPs will be deployed.
In the second stage, between November 30 and December 14, about 3,400 personnel, including 230 women police personnel, 312 SIs, 92 CIs and 36 DYSPs, will be deployed.
In the third stage between December 14 and 29, nearly 4,026 personnel, including 230 women police personnel, 389 SIs, 90 CIs and 29 DYSPs, will be on duty.
In the fourth stage, between December 29 and January 16, as many as 4,383 personnel, including 230 women police personnel, 400 SIs, 95 CIs and 34 DYSPs, will be deputed.
In addition, a 20-member commando unit led by an SI will be in Sannidanam, while another unit will be in Pampa, to help the police force.
Another platoon of Thunderbolt will station at Maniyar to deal with any emergency situation during the festival season.
A bomb disposal squad comprising 234 members would be operational in Pampa and Sannidanam.
Two companies of Rapid Action Force (RAF) and two units of NDRF will also be on duty, in and around Sabarimala, during the season.
A Karnataka women police team, comprising an Inspector, two SIs and 30 women civil police officers also reached Sabarimala, as part of the security arrangements.
South Zone ADGP Anil Kanth will be chief coordinator, ADGP S Anandkrishnan will be the coordinator, while IG Manoj Abraham will be the joint coordinator, during the season.
UNI DS RJ 2050