Ranchi police, the Rapid Action Force and Quick Reaction Teams conducted flag marches across the city on Thursday ahead of Durga Puja, while senior officials reviewed security arrangements at puja pandals, sensitive areas and idol-immersion routes.
A strong police contingent marched from Albert Ekka Chowk to Sujata Chowk along Ranchi’s Main Road. The operation was led by ADM Law and Order Dhanajaya and three superintendents of police, Paras Rana, Rakesh Singh and Gaurav Goswami.
Rana said the flag marches had two objectives: to reassure citizens and familiarise security personnel with their areas of operation so they could respond to emergency situations. The deployment included the Rapid Action Force and Quick Reaction Teams, which are intended to support local police during crowd-sensitive events and emergencies.
Officials also inspected security systems around puja pandals and sensitive locations. They reviewed the prescribed routes for idol-immersion processions and issued instructions to police personnel deployed at different points across the city.
Additional flag marches were held under several police stations, including Kotwali and Hindpidhi, as authorities took stock of local security arrangements before the festival. The exercises were intended to make personnel familiar with the areas and routes where large gatherings and processions are expected.
Police urged devotees to observe Durga Puja peacefully and maintain communal harmony. Rana asked residents not to pay attention to rumours circulating on social media, avoid sharing objectionable material and immediately inform the police about suspicious persons.
The citywide exercise places pandal security, crowd management, social-media monitoring and immersion-route preparedness within the same operational plan. Further police deployment and local instructions will continue at the identified pandals, sensitive areas and procession routes during the festival period.
