Cuttack/Bhubaneswar, Oct. 7: Police have chalked out a comprehensive plan to maintain law and order during Durga Puja as uncertainty still looms over the arrival of central paramilitary forces in Cuttack.

A special tactical unit of the police, besides three teams of quick reaction team and strike force, would be deployed at strategic locations from today.

Police commissioner Y.B. Khurania said tight security arrangements had been made and nearly 65 platoons of police would be deployed. Earlier, director-general of police K.B. Singh requested the central government to provide four companies of the Rapid Action Force across the state for Vijaya Dashami and Muharram falling on the same day.

"Though we have not got any confirmation about arrival of the paramilitary forces, we have made elaborate arrangements to maintain law and order during the festival," said Khurania.

Seven additional deputy commissioner rank officers, 39 assistant commissioner of police, 58 inspectors, 363 sub-inspectors and assistant sub-inspectors and 682 home guards would be deployed during the Puja. Cuttack has been divided into 28 sectors, while the police officers have been asked to remain alert.

Deputy commissioner of police Sanjeev Arora told The Telegraph that 21 police control room (PCR) vans, 40 mobile motorcycle with armed personnel would also be pressed into service. Three special mobile teams have also been formed to keep a watch on illegal sale of liquor.

"A special surveillance is also being kept on hotels, restaurants and near malls to prevent any untoward incidents," said Arora. Special emphasis has also been given on the protection of idols decorated with silver and gold backdrops.

Armed personnel will be deployed near such puja pandals for the protection of the ornaments of the goddessand preventive action against mischief mongers. 900 special police officers (SPOs) from 156 puja pandals have been appointed for the regulation of the crowd and traffic near their respective pandals. 50 additional SPOs from minority community have also been roped in for the first time to maintain communal harmony this year.

He added that 11 mobile police parties would conduct patrolling across the city to keep an eye on criminals and also to attend to cases of emergency. Besides, special squads will keep an eye on major Durga Puja pandalsJoint inspection teams comprising members of puja organizations, concerned inspector in-charges and zonal ACPs will inspect different puja pandals to sort out any problem. The police will also set up control rooms at major puja pandals across the city.

Puja organisers have also deployed their volunteers and private security guards to manage crowd.

Secretary of Jharpada Durga Puja Samiti S.C. Jena said 12 private security guards and more than 200 volunteers have been roped in by the organisers to ensure security and crowd management during the puja. "Since, Jharpada Durga Puja pandal is a major attraction among devotees, we had decided to augment security at the pandal by making own arrangements," he said.<>