Statewide high alert issued ahead of Jagannath Rath Yatra

PNS

Ranchi

The Jharkhand Police Headquarters has issued a statewide high alert ahead of the Jagannath Rath Yatra and the nine-day Rath Mela beginning on July 16, directing all Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) to strengthen security arrangements and ensure peaceful conduct of the festival.

Detailed guidelines have been circulated to district administrations, with special emphasis on maintaining law and order, deploying additional security personnel at sensitive locations, and preventing any untoward incidents. Ranchi, which witnesses one of the state’s largest Rath Yatra gatherings every year, has been placed under heightened surveillance.

Police headquarters has instructed all districts to identify vulnerable and sensitive areas and deploy additional police personnel and executive magistrates accordingly. Continuous monitoring will be carried out along the Rath Yatra route, at major temples, markets, road intersections, and other crowded locations. District authorities have also been directed to keep a close watch on social media platforms and take immediate action against rumours, inflammatory posts, or attempts to disturb communal harmony.

As per tradition, the idols of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra will be taken in a ceremonial procession from the main temple to the Mausibari on July 16, with devotees pulling the chariots using ropes. The deities will remain at the Mausibari for nine days before the Bahuda Yatra, the return chariot procession, scheduled for July 25. Authorities have been asked to maintain equally robust security arrangements for the return procession, which is also expected to attract massive crowds.

The police headquarters has directed district administrations to prepare a list of anti-social elements who could potentially disrupt the festival. Officials have also been asked to review communal and law-and-order incidents reported during Rath Yatra celebrations over the past five years and formulate security plans based on those assessments. Special surveillance has been ordered on individuals with a history of involvement in communal disturbances, riots, or spreading rumours.

To promote communal harmony, district authorities have been instructed to hold meetings with peace committee members, public representatives, and local community leaders to resolve any contentious issues well before the festival begins. The administration has appealed for collective cooperation to ensure the celebrations are conducted peacefully.

Security preparations will include extensive CCTV and drone surveillance across mela grounds and procession routes. Lost-and-found centres for children, public address systems, first-aid facilities, police vehicles, and other emergency equipment will be deployed at strategic locations. Authorities have also been instructed to identify and repair weak or low-hanging electricity lines to prevent accidents during the festivities.

Police have further ordered strict vigilance against pickpocketing, eve-teasing, snatching, illegal liquor trade, gambling, lotteries, narcotics, and illegal arms trafficking during the nine-day event. Fire services, ambulance networks, and medical teams have been directed to remain on standby throughout the festival.

The Police Headquarters has made it clear that security will remain the top priority during the entire Rath Yatra and Rath Mela. It warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone attempting to spread rumours or disturb public order, while appealing to devotees to follow official instructions and cooperate with the administration in ensuring a safe and peaceful celebration.