The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) commandos were stationed at Lata Mangeshkar Chowk ahead of the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony on Monday, putting Ayodhya under strict security ahead of the grand opening of the Ram Temple.
Intricate security arrangements
Modern, cutting-edge technology has been employed to create intricate security arrangements for the event, according to the Uttar Pradesh Police.
Nicknamed ‘Lucknow’s Drone’ for inventing unmanned aerial vehicles to monitor the city, Milind Raj said he volunteered his time to assist the police in maintaining strict security in Ayodhya.
The police have been able to properly secure the temple town one day before the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony thanks to these drones.
Like a police car, the drone can patrol the skies and send back alerts in real-time if it spots any suspicious people or objects.
It has specialised software installed that will allow it to recognise potential troublemakers or criminals.
Friday saw increased security in the temple town in preparation for the January 22 event, which was expected to draw close to 8,000 VIP visitors.
Personnel from the UP Police have been stationed throughout the city, and they are patrolling the land, water, and air domains.
Drones are being used for aerial surveillance in addition to boats for patrolling the Saryu River, according to Piyush Mordia, Additional Director General (ADG), Lucknow Zone.
Security personnel deployed
“Our personnel have been deployed in Ayodhya for the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony. A security briefing was held for all the deployed personnel again today. Briefing and debriefing sessions are being conducted daily with officers. Drones that have been deployed in the entire district are also being used for aerial surveillance. Patrolling on the Saryu River is being done through boats,” a senior police officer said.
A wide range of dignitaries and leaders from various fields have been invited to the grand temple opening in Ayodhya.
Beginning on January 16, one week before the main ceremony, Vedic rites were performed for Ram Lalla’s Pran-Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya.
Friday saw the idol of Ram Lalla placed inside the Ram Temple’s “Garbha Grah” amidst exuberant “Jai Shri Ram” chants.
The principal ceremonies of the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony will be performed by a group of seers under the direction of a Varanasi priest named Lakshmi Kant Dixit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will perform the main rituals at the ceremony.
