Coconut offering banned in famous Himachal temples
Dharmshala | Monday, Sep 29 2008 IST
In view of recent blasts and terror threats by terrorist organisations, offering of sacred coconuts in the temples of Himachal Pradesh have been banned to ensure safety of pilgrims during Sharad Navratra, beginning tomorrow.
”Police is taking no chances specially in view of the threats posed by terrorist organisations during such occasions and hence have banned coconut offerings in the three temples — the Brajeshwari Devi, Jawala Ji and Chamunda Devi,” Kangra District Police Chief Atul Fulzele said here today. ”Even carrying coconuts within the temple premises has been banned and all visitors would have to go through metal detector doors,” he stressed. Mr Fulzele said bomb detection squads have been kept in readiness with 200 police personnels deployed within the temple premises at Jawalamukhi. One-hundred-fifty police personnel each have been deployed in Brajeshwari and Chamunda Devi temples to regulate pilgrim traffic and keep an eye on the anti-social elements.
A control room has been set up in each temple, entry points to the three temple towns have been sealed and barriers put up to verify vehicles before allowing entry. The authorities this year have removed all the encroachments in the temple complexes and temple bazaars. Besides, additional beds have been kept in readiness in local hospitals to meet any eventuality, he added.
— (UNI) — 29DR61.xml
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