RAAS YATRA

Tight security plan for Raas Mela

 

COOCH BEHAR, Nov. 11: Cooch Behar District Police will take no chance to make this year's Raas Mela a peaceful event. The 198-year-old and fortnight-long Raas Mela is scheduled to begin from tomorrow.

 

Deputy inspector general of police, Jalpaiguri Range, Mr Z Hasan released an informative booklet in presence of Cooch Behar SP Mr DP Singh and ASP Mr A Biswas on Raas Mela today. It contains a guide map of the fairground and surroundings to help the visitors.

 

The DIG said there would be 11 close circuit TV cameras (CCTV) in and around the Madan Mohan Temple and fair premises to keep watch on trouble-mongers. A dog squad will also be there. To ensure the fortnight long event a peaceful one 4 DSPs. 3 inspectors and 250 constables from outer districts will be deployed in addition to the district police force. Bomb disposal squad personnel are to stay in Cooch Behar during the Raas Mela, the DIG said.

 

Replying a question the Cooch Behar SP Mr DP Singh said there was no specific threat to the Rass Mela but security arrangements were being beefed up considering a general threat following the recent Kokrajhar incident.

 

The district magistrate of Cooch Behar Mr Rajesh Kumar Sinha will inaugurate the Raas Yatra festival of Lord Madan Mohan by whirling the Raas Chakra at the temple premises after completion of Yagna and other religious rituals on Wednesday night. The DM Mr Sinha and the SP Mr Singh will inaugurate the traditional Raas Mela organised by Cooch Behar Municipality at Raas Mela Maidan on the same evening.

 

On the otherhand, district judge of Cooch Behar Mr KYS Manhas will inaugurate the Raas festival of Lord Madan Mohan tomorrow at the Thakur Bari of Kumar Gajendra Narayan Estate at Bangchatra Road near the Raas mela Maidan. []

 

PHOTO : DIG, Jalpaiguri Range, Mr Z Hasan releases a booklet containing guide map of Raas Mela while Cooch Behar SP Mr DP Singh looks on. In Cooch Behar on Tuesday. – DEBASHIS BHAUMIK.