The Bhagalpur divisional police administration has arranged for tight security for the month-long Shravani Mela beginning July 18.

The police have decided to deploy adequate force along the 100-km stretch of kanwariya path passing through the Maoist-hit regions of Bhagalpur, Munger and Banka.

Saffron-clad kanwariyas, who fetch water from the Ganga at Sultanganj, proceed to Deoghar, Jharkhand, on foot to worship Lord Baidyanath.

Deputy inspector-general of police, Bhagalpur zone, Amit Kumar Jain chaired a review meeting with Bhagalpur superintendent of police (SP) K.S. Anupam and Banka SP Vikash Barman on Wednesday. Jain told The Telegraph that the Bhagalpur divisional police headquarters has sought 2,000 additional forces from the state government for security during the festival.

Apart from a requisition for an additional 1,400 corps for Banka and 600 for Bhagalpur to the state government, more than 800 home guards and district police force would also be deployed along the kanwariya path.

Jain said: “Adequate personnel, equipped with batons, will be deployed in the isolated Maoist-affected regions to ensure the security of pilgrims. Police in plainclothes will also maintain vigil at such places. Special measures have been taken to maintain security in the Red strongholds in Bhagalpur, Munger and Banka. Makeshift police camps would also be set up in the areas along the kanwariya path.”

He said eight sectors would be created to strengthen security during the festival.