Over 300 Armed Policemen to guard Rajim Kumbh this year

     Raipur, February 05, 2012: Chhattisgarh Government has decided to deploy over 300 heavily armed policemen in the 14-day long Rajim Kumbh, starting from February 07, next, officials said today.

     The decision to deploy heavily armed security personnel were taken after the Religious Affairs Minister Brij Mohan Agrawal reviewed the preparation of the Kumbh Mela yesterday, officials said today.

     Besides the regular deployment of civil police, home guards and village guards, over 300 armed policemen would also be deployed in the Kumbh site, they said.

     It was decided in the meeting between the senior officials from Gariaband, Raipur and Dhamtari districts that the armed forces would man the Kumbh round the clock and their food and other provisions would be made in the Mela site, the officials added.

     Although there was no specific input on trouble during Kumbh Mela, but as a precaution armed forces are being deployed, sources clarified.

     It is to be mentioned here that the Maoists have already made their presence felt in all the three districts Raipur, Dhamtari and Gariaband.

     Chhattisgarh government has already issued notification to have the 14 days Rajim Kumbh from February 07.

    The Rajim Kumbh would be held from February 07 to 20, 2012, the notification said here.

     A central Committee has also been constituted headed by Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh with Acting Chairman Religious Affairs Minister Brij Mohan Agrawal and Vice Chairman Agriculture Minister Chandrasekhar Sahu.

     Raipur Additional Collector Ramesh Sharma is appointed as Fair (Mela) Officer where as Gajendra Kumar Saxena would function as Chief Medical and Health officer of Rajim Kumbh.