Patna: Takht Shri Harmandir Sahib Prabandhak Committee, which is overseeing preparations for the Prakash Utsav conclusion celebrations to be held from December 22 to 26, has decided to deploy over 500 sevadars (security persons) requisitioned from the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

Lakhs of devotees are expected to take part in the celebrations of the birth anniversary Sri Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru. Around 5,000 NRI devotees are also expected to attend.

The sevadars are trained to deal with big crowds, said Sarjindra Singh, general secretary of the committee.

"The sevadars will be assigned to deal with the crowd inside the Takht premises, while the state police will look after the security outside," Singh said.

The sevadars will arrive in Patna City from Amritsar on December 23 along with Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), Amritsar, chief Sardar Govind Singh, SGPC chief secretary Dr Roop Singh and 25 managers.

The state government has also made security arrangements for visiting pilgrims. Patna police have set up 60 special teams which will move on foot in addition to a large number of personnel and officials to be deployed.

Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Manu Maharaaj said 38 watch towers have been set up for surveillance.

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras have been installed at two points and round-the-clock control rooms have been set up to monitor the footage for security purposes.

Boats on the Ganga will also keep an eye on security, and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel will be deployed.

"Public address system will be used to control crowds," said SSP Maharaaj.

"Quick response teams will be pressed into service in sensitive areas such as Mangal Talab, Dhabalpura, Kangan Ghat, railway overbridge and the tent cities. Moreover, 15 quick mobile teams headed by deputy superintendent of police (operations) Rakesh Dubey will ensure foolproof security to devotees."