Bhubaneswar: With the festive season approaching, Odisha police have intensified preparations to ensure peace and safety across the state. Interim director general of police Vinaytosh Mishra on Friday convened a virtual meeting with all SPs, range DIGs and IGPs to identify crime‑prone hotspots and strengthen deployments to maintain law and order during the celebrations.“We have stressed the need for heightened vigilance in view of the expected surge of revellers,” Mishra said. SPs were instructed to conduct a thorough review of security and traffic arrangements. Police units have been asked to step up patrolling in sensitive areas, enforce crowd control at festival venues, and regulate traffic to prevent congestion. Adequate manpower is to be deployed at identified hotspots.Mishra emphasised that comprehensive security and crowd management must be ensured at prominent tourist centres, particularly Puri. Officials said the focus will be on maintaining public order while allowing citizens to celebrate without disruption. “We expect heavy footfall at religious places, tourist hubs and picnic spots in Puri, Konark and Bhubaneswar. Our priority is to ensure tourist safety and smooth traffic flow,” a senior officer said. Special squads will monitor vulnerable stretches, while traffic police will be stationed at busy junctions.The state police headquarters directed commissionerate police to make foolproof arrangements in Bhubaneswar, citing a recent surge in crimes. Special emphasis has been laid on curbing offences against women. Citizens have been urged to cooperate with security personnel and follow traffic advisories.The in-charge DGP asked SPs to launch drives against anti‑socials and keep close watch on social media to prevent circulation of hate messages. “I have asked SPs to pay special attention in communally sensitive districts. Police must prevent misuse of cyberspace by miscreants who may attempt to stoke communal passion through provocative posts on social media platforms,” he said.Mishra directed continuous coordination with local representatives and community groups, strengthening intelligence gathering, and securing advance information on potential disturbances. He stressed that notorious offenders should be booked under the National Security Act (NSA). All police stations have been asked to execute pending non‑bailable warrants and arrest absconding offenders.
