The Gujarat Police have sought additional force from neighbouring Madhya Pradesh,Rajasthan and Maharashtra in addition to 20 companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for security during Jagannath Rath Yatra in the state. Briefing media persons on security preparation for the annual event in Gandhinagar on Friday,DGP S S Khandwawala said that as many as 89 rath yatras will be taken out across the state on July 13. He said there were no specific intelligence inputs of threat during the festival but the Army has been asked to remain alert. Besides the 65,000 police force in the state,five companies from Rajasthan,Madhya Pradesh and Maharastra have been requested, said Khandwawala. The DGP added that besides,CCTV cameras,GPS tracking devices and video cameras,intensive checking and combing operations were on in various cities to ensure peaceful yatra. The atmosphere in the sensitive areas of Ahmedabad and other cities is peaceful ahead of the Yatra, he said,adding that the police have been organising street and inter-faith meetings in sensitive areas.
