Bhubaneswar: CM Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday directed the state police to ensure foolproof security arrangements for peaceful Ram Navami celebrations on March 27.Majhi reviewed preparations at a high-level coordination meeting attended by chief secretary Anu Garg, DGP Y B Khurania, home secretary Hemant Sharma, ADG (law and order) Sanjay Kumar and Bhubaneswar-Cuttack police commissioner S Dev Datta Singh, among others. The meeting focussed on logistical planning, security deployment, and inter-departmental coordination for the upcoming processions.“In 2025, the festival was celebrated peacefully due to extensive precautionary measures taken by the police. This year too, the chief minister has instructed that peace and order be maintained through adequate deployment and proper management,” the chief minister’s office (CMO) said in a statement.Emphasizing the spiritual nature of the festival, Majhi said it is the responsibility of the police administration to ensure devotees celebrate safely and without hesitation.Police officials said procession routes across the state will be monitored using CCTV cameras and drones. Specialized teams will be deployed to prevent crimes such as chain snatching, with particular focus on women’s safety.Sources said SPs have been asked to identify vulnerable areas where tensions had previously erupted during processions. They have been directed to hold peace meetings with community leaders, monitor potential troublemakers, and form dedicated teams to track social media activity.Police officials also instructed that only standard sound systems be used—avoiding loud DJs—and that all content played during processions must uphold communal harmony. “Patrolling will be intensified as police stations have been tasked to strengthen intelligence gathering,” a senior police officer said.
