Ahead of Mahashivratri, police have issued a high alert across the Meerut Range, with around 3,000 personnel deployed to ensure the festival passes peacefully. The security arrangements have been put in place under the direction of Kalanidhi Naithani, DIG of the Uttar Pradesh Police in the Meerut Range.
Officials said 37 gazetted officers are part of the deployment. The force includes seven Additional Superintendents of Police, 30 Circle Officers, 139 inspectors, 783 sub inspectors, 777 head constables and 927 constables. In addition, 265 Home Guards and PRD personnel and five companies of PAC have been deployed.
The entire range has been divided into 29 zones, 88 sectors and 54 Quick Reaction Teams to strengthen surveillance and rapid response. Authorities expect more than 5,000 devotees to visit 21 major temples across the region. Of these, five temples are in Meerut, 12 in Bulandshahr, one in Baghpat and three in Hapur.
Police have also identified 28 major Kanwar routes across the four districts. These include eight routes in Meerut, eight in Bulandshahr, three in Baghpat and nine in Hapur. A total of 21 fairs are scheduled during the festival period, along with 20 proposed Shiv Baraat and religious processions.
Fourteen ghats have been marked for special monitoring, including three in Meerut, eight in Bulandshahr and three in Hapur. Officials have also set up 89 camps and community kitchens, identified 165 sensitive hot spots and installed 58 barriers and 37 police pickets. Eleven public address systems have been arranged to manage crowds and make announcements.Surveillance is being carried out through drones, CCTV cameras and control rooms. Plainclothes police personnel, anti Romeo squads, bomb disposal teams, fire tenders and lost and found centres have also been activated.
DIG Naithani said that the safety and convenience of devotees is the top priority. He directed officers to ensure that the main festival day on February 15 concludes peacefully without any untoward incident. Police have urged the public to cooperate and report any suspicious activity during the Mahashivratri celebrations.
