Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Mar 1: Hours before the VHP Virat Hindu Samajotsava, city police commissioner S Murugan on Sunday March 1 gave a final call to the citizens to maintain peace and cooperate and said that all security arrangements were in place for the event.

Addressing a press meet at his office, Murugan said within the city limits, 2,000 police personnel have been deployed, and 4,000 personnel have been stationed acros the district.

"We have deployed 14 KSRP and 6 RAF squads. There are also 17 sector magistrates with 100 officers and some police personnel, who willl visit various religious centres to ensure no untoward incidents take place," he said.

"We have also installed 200 video cameras and 360 CCTV cameras at various spots, and have covered almost every aspect of security," he added.

He also urged citizens to cooperate. "People may face hardships today because of traffic diversions and closure of some shops, but they should accept it with a smile," he urged.

"From past two days the police are very hard. The organizers have been told to wind up the programme by 5 pm, or maximum by 5. 30 pm. Also, provocative banners have been removed, " he added.

Asked about arrests of accused in other communal clashes in various places, he said investigations were on and the culprits would be nabbed soon.

On the recent accident at Nanthoor which took the lives of three people, he said, "During peak hours four to ten traffic constables are deployed there. I salute them because despite tough conditions, heavy traffic and air and noise pollution they perform their duties. It is a failure in engineering and road designing that is causing accidents, and a report has been sent to NHAI.

"At the same time, carelessness of verhicle drivers is also to be blamed. Personal committement is a major factor while driving, particularly heavy vehicles," he added.