Drone surveillance, tight security planned for Muharram

PNS

RANCHI

In preparation for the upcoming Muharram festival, the Ranchi district administration on Friday convened a district-level peace committee meeting to ensure the observance of the festival in a peaceful, harmonious and well-organised manner. The meeting was held at Room No. 505 of Block ‘B’ at the Collectorate and was chaired by Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Magistrate Manjunath Bhajantri.

The meeting was attended by Senior Superintendent of Police Rakesh Ranjan, City SP Paras Rana, Rural SP Gaurav Goswami, Traffic SP Rakesh Singh, Sadar Sub-Divisional Officer Kumar Rajat, Additional District Magistrate (Law and Order) Dhananjay, trainee IAS officer Aastha Sharan, District Nazarat Deputy Collector Sudesh Kumar, District Transport Officer Akhilesh Kumar, along with police officials, circle officers, station house officers, representatives of the Central Muharram Committee, Mahavir Mandal, various Akhara committees and members of the peace committee.

At the outset, representatives of the Central Muharram Committee, Akhara committees and peace committee members shared suggestions and demands related to the smooth conduct of the festival. Discussions focused on sanitation, security arrangements, condition of procession routes, electricity supply, drinking water, ambulance services, issuance of licences to Akharas, traffic management and other civic facilities. The representatives reiterated their commitment to celebrating the festival in an atmosphere of communal harmony and brotherhood. Prominent participants including Mohammad Islam, Aqilur Rahman, Ajit Sahay, Parmjeet Singh, Jai Singh Yadav and Sagar Kumar also offered their suggestions.

Addressing the meeting, Deputy Commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri assured that all suggestions put forward by the committees would be considered seriously and that the administration would make every effort to provide adequate arrangements. He emphasised that all officials would discharge their responsibilities with dedication to ensure the festival is conducted peacefully.

Describing Muharram as not only a religious observance but also a symbol of social harmony and mutual respect, Bhajantri appealed to all communities to cooperate and prevent minor issues from escalating. He urged citizens not to pay heed to rumours or misleading information.

The Deputy Commissioner further stated that the administration and police would maintain strict surveillance on social media platforms. He warned that prompt action would be taken against anyone found circulating misleading, objectionable or communally sensitive content. Citizens and peace committee members were asked to immediately report any rumour or suspicious information to the authorities.

Bhajantri also called upon all Akhara and Muharram committees to strictly comply with the guidelines issued by the High Court. He specifically stressed adherence to prescribed flag heights and directed organisers not to alter or divert approved procession routes. Akhara committees were advised to coordinate closely with local police stations and conduct processions only along designated routes.

Senior Superintendent of Police Rakesh Ranjan said strict action would be taken against anti-social elements attempting to disturb peace. He urged Akhara committees to promptly report any suspicious activity to their respective Khalifas and subsequently inform police and administrative officials. He also stressed the importance of ensuring that all processions commence and conclude within the scheduled time frame.

The SSP informed the gathering that special security arrangements would be put in place at sensitive and key locations during Muharram. Drone cameras will be deployed to monitor processions and crowded areas, while heightened vigilance will be maintained around religious sites to prevent any attempt to disrupt communal harmony.

The meeting concluded with a joint appeal from the district administration and police administration to all Akhara committees, Muharram committees, peace committee members and citizens to celebrate the festival with mutual cooperation, coordination and a spirit of brotherhood.