Cuttack, June 27: The Puri Jagannath temple administration today informed the Orissa High Court that that Coast Guard was being requested to maintain off-shore security to keep away terrorist elements during the rath yatra.

“The state has made day-and-night deployment of armed police force at four gates of the temple to counter extremist attacks, if any, to combat any subversive activities by terrorism,” assistant administrator Saroj Kumar Ray said in an affidavit filed today.

The affidavit was filed in pursuance of a high court order on a PIL on security measures at the Puri temple and during the car festival. Maitree Sansad, a Cuttack-based socio-cultural organisation had filed the PIL.

Ray said steps were being taken for the installation of scanner machine and jammers at four gates “to counter terrorist activities”.

“Construction of four observation towers around the temple is almost complete and will function soon”, he added.

“While armed police morchas will be constructed at three entry points of Puri town, a number of observation towers will function during the car festival. They will also help keep vigil on the seashore,” the affidavit said adding that 100 platoons of armed police forces and two companies of Rapid Action Force, along with 500 police officers would be on their toes during the mega festival.

The temple administration said the installation of x-ray baggage machines at the entry points of the temple has been planned. “They will be installed after the state government allocates funds for it,” the affidavit said.

“A separate camp will operate during the car festival for the security of VIPs and dignitaries. A large number of police personnel in plain clothes will be engaged for intelligence inputs,” it added.