The security agencies have made a detailed security plan for the upcoming Bibaha Panchami festival in Janakpur.
Security agencies have been placed on high alert to prevent any untoward incidents in view of Chief Minister of the Indian State of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath during the festival. CM Adityanath is set to lead a baraat (wedding procession) from Ayodhya in India to the Ram-Janaki temple in Janakpur to celebrate the occasion. The annual festival is celebrated by re-enacting the marriage ceremony of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita as mentioned in Hindu epic Ramayan. Every five years, a large number of Hindu saints from the Indian city of Ayodhya, the birthplace of Ram, attend the weeklong event.
The security plan has been prepared based on suggestions and feedback from three security agencies—Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and Nepal Investigation Department. The Nepal Army has been kept on standby.
“Thousands of people converge in Janakpur during Bibaha Panchami. Managing the crowd will be a major challenge,” said a senior official of a security agency told the Post requesting anonymity.
People will have to pass through metal detectors to enter Rangabhumi Maidan, the venue of the wedding procession, and the Janaki temple. Sniffer dogs and drones will also be used for the security purpose.
According to Chief District Officer Pradip Raj Kandel, the security agencies have prepared separate security plans for airport, Janaki Temple, Rangabhumi Maidan and Madhes Bhawan of Provincial Government Secretariat. CM Adityanath is scheduled to attend three programmes in Janakpur.
DIG Hari Bahadur Pal, chief of Province 2 Police Office, said that 3,000 security personnel from Nepal Police and APF will be mobilised in Janakpur during Yogi’s visit. “We have also asked other districts to lend a hand,” said DIG Pal, adding that the deployment of security personnel will begin on Monday.
CDO Kandel said they had imposed restrictions on sales and consumption of liquor and meat items in Janakpur on Tuesday and Wednesday. “There will be a ban on sales and consumption of liquor and meat items within 200 metres of the Janakpur Parikrama road,” said CDO Kandel.
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