By Our Correspondent
JAJPUR/BHUBANESWAR:In view of the forthcoming Kali Puja celebrations and immersion processions, Jajpur Police has put in place elaborate security, law-and-order and traffic management arrangements across Jajpur Town, Jajpur Road and other parts of the district to ensure peaceful, safe and orderly celebrations. The Kali Puja festival will be observed from 7 November to 15 November 2026, followed by idol immersion on 16 November in Jajpur Town and on 17 and 18 November in Jajpur Road area, as per the scheduled arrangements.
A total of 119 Puja Pandals have been erected across the district, including 42 in Jajpur Town and 21 in Jajpur Road. The celebrations will also feature 10 Silver Medhas, 5 Gold Medhas and 1 Brass Medha. A large congregation of devotees and visitors from within and outside the district is expected during the festivities. Keeping in view the anticipated gathering, special emphasis is being laid on crowd management, protection of devotees, prevention of anti-social activities and maintenance of communal harmony.
Dr. Satyajit Naik, IPS, Inspector General of Police, Central Range, Kataka, Odisha, is reviewing the overall security and law-and-order preparedness in coordination with Jajpur SP Shri Yash Pratap Shrimal and other senior police officers. The review focuses on effective deployment of police personnel, traffic regulation, crowd management, surveillance, security of Puja Pandals and smooth conduct of immersion processions. Senior officers are being instructed to maintain close supervision and ensure prompt response to any situation that may arise during the festive period.
As part of the comprehensive security arrangements, 22 platoons of police force will be deployed across the district, supported by 400 Home Guards for crowd regulation, traffic management and general security duties. The deployment will include 85 Sub-Inspectors and Assistant Sub-Inspectors, 25 Inspectors, 10 Deputy Superintendents of Police and 3 Additional Superintendents of Police to ensure effective supervision and coordination at different levels. Additionally, 15 Police Aid Posts (9+6) will function at strategic locations to facilitate public assistance and ensure quick police response. Ten mobile checking teams and eight four-wheeler patrol teams will remain operational to strengthen field surveillance, conduct regular checking and respond promptly to emergencies.
To further strengthen technology-enabled policing, a total of 70 CCTV cameras (48+22) will be utilised for round-the-clock surveillance at important locations, including major Puja Pandals, congregation points and sensitive areas. Four drones (2+2) will also be deployed for aerial surveillance and monitoring of crowd movement, particularly at vulnerable locations and during immersion processions. Special monitoring teams will coordinate with field personnel to ensure real-time assessment of the security situation and timely intervention wherever necessary.
Jajpur Police has also initiated a series of preventive and enforcement measures to maintain law and order throughout the celebrations. Special drives will be conducted against the illegal possession, transportation and trade of firearms, ammunition and explosives. Close surveillance will be maintained over procession participants carrying weapons, lathis or objectionable materials. Roadside obstructions, including bricks, boulders and construction materials along immersion routes, will be removed to facilitate the smooth movement of processions. Habitual offenders, anti-social elements and individuals likely to disturb public peace will remain under close watch, and appropriate preventive legal action will be initiated wherever necessary. Special enforcement drives will also be conducted against illicit liquor and drug trafficking.
The immersion processions will be regulated in accordance with applicable legal provisions, including the relevant provisions of the Police Act and regulations governing loudspeakers and fireworks. Special attention will be given to religiously sensitive locations, communal harmony and the orderly movement of processions, particularly in areas where multiple groups are likely to assemble. Police personnel will also maintain close coordination with Puja Committees, local administration and volunteers to ensure adequate security at all Puja Pandals, including protection of idols and valuable ornaments throughout the festive period.
Special traffic management arrangements will be implemented to regulate vehicular movement and prevent congestion, particularly during the immersion processions. Police personnel will be strategically positioned at major junctions, vulnerable stretches and designated immersion routes to ensure smooth traffic flow and public convenience. Continuous monitoring will also be maintained over social media platforms and the activities of rumour-mongers to prevent the circulation of misleading or provocative information that could disturb public peace.
Jajpur Police appeals to all citizens, Puja Committees and organisers to extend their cooperation in maintaining peace, communal harmony and public order. Citizens are requested to follow traffic regulations, avoid spreading rumours or unverified information, refrain from provocative activities and immediately report any suspicious activity or law-and-order concern to the nearest police station. Police personnel deployed for the festival have also been instructed to remain courteous, accessible and helpful to the public while performing their duties.
Jajpur Police remains committed to ensuring a peaceful, secure and hassle-free Kali Puja celebration for all.
