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Commandos to be deployed
WITH COMMANDOS swarming the Sangam bed, this year's Magh Mela will, most likely, be different. Increasing threat of terrorist strike in public places has made the administration sit up. Delhi blasts and the killing of a scientist in Bangalore recently has made the administration more apprehensive.
WITH COMMANDOS swarming the Sangam bed, this year's Magh Mela will, most likely, be different. Increasing threat of terrorist strike in public places has made the administration sit up. Delhi blasts and the killing of a scientist in Bangalore recently has made the administration more apprehensive.
Gone are the days when during the month-long Magh Mela lakhs of people, who converged on the banks of Sangam, used to watch the 'Shahi snan' curiously.
Shahi snans are carried out by different 'akharas' which come out in full regalia.
Two types of commandos will be deployed in the Magh Mela this time -- the safari clad and the NSG commandos. The former category is considered to be more dashing and daring (not because of the different dresses which they wear) from the latter which come in the black cat category, but because of the age factor, says a police officer. The safari-clad commando's age is not beyond 30 while the black cat commando's age extends to 35.
It is this age gap, which makes all the difference. The former is expected to react and take charge of the arising situation more swiftly and earlier than the black cat.
The safari-clad commandos will cordon the main bathing area a few hours before the auspicious hour. and, with their job over, they will return. The remaining part of surveillance will be carried out by the NSG commandos, said the police officer.
The commando arrangement this time will be added to the security cover which is usually provided by police, PAC, RAF and the para-military forces. Six sniffer dogs from Lucknow will be pressed into service in the Sangam area to detect explosives and bombs. Since sniffer dogs are able to detect explosives and bombs up to two feet below the ground only. But, the 'booby trap' has the capacity to pin point a hidden bomb in a radius and depth of 10 to 15 feet.
Similarly, explosives hidden in bags and car boot will also be covered by this sensitive device.
A section of cops at the local level have already been trained in the art of handling and diffusing explosives. Their task will be made easier by the addition of sophisticated gadgets during the mela.
