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Journalism of Courage
KUMBH NAGAR, JAN 13: About one crore devotees are expected to have holy bath at the Sangam (confluence of three rivers – Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Sarswati) here on the occasion of Makar Sankranti tomorrow while the Mela administration makes foolproof security arrangements to meet any eventuality arising out of terrorists’ threats.
"A tight security net had been thrown around the mela area and traffic restrictions imposed on movement of heavy vehicles in the city to enable the pilgrims to reach the Sangam ghats without difficulty", Kumbh district magistrate Jeevesh Nandan told PTI today.
He said arrangments for the first holy dip Shahi Snan on the `Makar Sankranti’ day were complete and security had been tightened in the area.
With the Shahi Snan by various akharas scheduled to take place tomorrow morning the mela administration has not left any thing to chance, Nandan said.
Nandan said the long standing disputes between the `Juna’ and `Niranjan’ akharas over timing and routes to be taken for the Shahi Snan had been resolved with both sides reaching an amicable settlement last night.
Senior officials, including secretary in the Chief Minister’s Secretariat Alok Ranjan, visited the mela area and reviewed the security arrangements.
The mela administration has also banned the bathing by IPs and VIPs on important bathing days to enable the officials to concentrate on arrangements, Nandan said.
With thousands of police and paramilitary personnel guarding the area, the Kumbh village gives the impression of a fortress.
Closed circuit television sets and surveillance cameras have been installed at various points to monitor the movement and activities of people in the village, Nandan said.
Meanwhile, lakhs of pilgrims from across the country continued to pour in the village for taking the ritual bath on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti.
The Shahi Snan was likely to start early with Makar Sankranti being from twenty minutes past five in the morning, according to official sources here.
The whole area busted with activity as people and sadhus in colourful attires roam the village singing devotional songs and chanting vedic mantras.
Bhajans and kirtans at different pandals in the various makeshift ashrams are a common sight while religious sermons are delivered throughout the day.
