A securityperson inspects a police vehicle damaged in a blast. A file picture

Oct. 14: Violence will not cast its shadow on the Puja festivities this year, not if city police and puja committees have their way.

The police have been on alert following intelligence reports that extremist groups might strike during Durga Puja by planting car bombs. They are taking no chances, particularly after Ulfa militants exploded a powerful car bomb at Panbazar on February 4 this year.

Additional superintendent of police (city) Rajen Singh today said all police stations have been instructed to be on the lookout for abandoned vehicles, which may be fitted with bombs.

Officers-in-charge of police stations have been asked to maintain constant vigil over vehicles parked at public places.

The police have also asked the puja committees to shoulder security responsibilities along with the police and the civil administration.

The committees have been asked to deploy enough volunteers to maintain order and to watch out for suspicious objects and persons.

The organisers were asked not to allow parking of vehicles within 100metres of the pandals. The district administration has directed the community puja organisers to brief the volunteers about their responsibilities well in advance and to provide them with easily distinguishable identity cards.

“The officers-in-charge have been asked to hold discussions with the puja committees and take up area-specific security measures to ensure an incident-free Durga Puja,” Singh said.

The puja organisers were also directed not to allow drinking, gambling or any other activities that could disrupt the peace.

The committees were also told to keep the approach roads free so that a fire tender can reach a puja venue in case of any emergency.

The traffic branch of the police has been asked to ensure that vehicles are parked only at designated parking places and to tow away any vehicle that is parked in a no-parking zone.

The additional SP said the police would enforce the Supreme Court ban on the use of loudspeakers after 10pm.

The police have drawn up a security blueprint incorporating instructions issued by the special branch and Assam police headquarters.

The plan has emphasised the need to collect intelligence in advance with regard to both communal as well as extremist outfits.

The officers-in-charge were briefed regarding the security arrangements at a meeting held at the city police headquarters a few days ago.

Steps are being taken to train a section of police personnel in anti-sabotage checking and bomb disposal techniques. They will be kept ready for any contingency during the festival.

The puja committees have been asked to maintain round-the-clock surveillance of their pandals.