Patna: The district administration has decided to beef up security ahead of the approaching festive season.
Patna district magistrate Kumar Ravi has summoned the first administrative meeting on September 17 in which issues related to keeping the city peaceful during festivals will be discussed with police officers, sub-divisional officers and administrative officials at the Patna collectorate.
On September 21, Muharram processions will be taken out in which large number of Muslims would gather, which would be followed by Dussehra next month.
In November, Diwali will be celebrated on November 7 followed by the state's biggest festival, Chhath, on November 13 and 14.
"I have called the meeting on September 17 to prepare for the festive season, as Muharram, Dussehra, Diwali and Chhath are approaching. It is an administrative meeting to discuss security matters with police officers," Ravi told The Telegraph.
This year, there is a big relief for the administration because Dussehra and Muharram do not fall in the same month, which becomes a tedious task for the administration as far as deployment of forces is concerned.
Last year, the common date of immersion of idols during Dussehra and Muharram processions on October 1 had taken a political turn. The district administration had issued orders to Puja committees to complete immersions a day before Muharram on September 30, Vijaya Dashami.
This year, the dates would not clash, relaxing the job of the district administration. However, the administration is still pressured, as the matter is related to faith and belief of devotees.
Asked about the agenda of the meeting, Ravi said: "The agenda of the meeting is security, law and order, deployment of police forces and magistrates apart from delegation of duty among officers. The issue of issuing licence to Puja committees will also be discussed and the sale of crackers. The preparation of ghats for Chhath is also on the agenda."
Ravi added that several rounds of meetings will take place apart from the meeting with Puja committees, pandal owners and peace committees.