North Tripura Police Announces Elaborate Durga Puja Security Plan, Over 1,000 Personnel to Be Deployed
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, October 14, 2026
North Tripura district police have drawn up an elaborate security and traffic management plan for the upcoming Sharadiya Durga Puja celebrations, with more than 1,000 personnel from the police, Tripura State Rifles (TSR) and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to be deployed across the district. The administration has also issued a stern warning against forcible collection of donations, popularly known as chanda, and assured strict action against anyone found engaging in extortion.
North Tripura Superintendent of Police (SP) and IPS officer Avinash Rai outlined the security arrangements and special instructions at a press conference in Dharmanagar. At the outset, he extended Durga Puja greetings to the people of Tripura on behalf of the North Tripura district police and appealed to residents, organisers and visitors to cooperate with the authorities to ensure peaceful and incident-free celebrations.
According to the SP, the district has so far received information regarding 275 Durga Puja celebrations this year, broadly comparable to last year's arrangements. Of these, 175 pujas are expected to be organised in the Dharmanagar subdivision, 60 in Panisagar and 40 in Kanchanpur. The number may increase depending on further applications and the prevailing situation.
To maintain law and order, regulate traffic and manage large crowds during the festivities, more than 1,000 personnel from the district police, TSR and CAPF will be deployed at strategic locations. Six drop gates will be installed at designated points to regulate vehicular movement and prevent traffic congestion. In addition, 16 special police assistance booths will be established to help visitors and commuters.
The SP said the locations of these assistance booths would be communicated to the public in advance through the official social media platforms of North Tripura district police, enabling residents and visitors to identify the nearest assistance point when required.
As part of the surveillance arrangements, special observation posts equipped with CCTV cameras have been set up at 19 locations. These posts will facilitate continuous monitoring of crowds and help police respond promptly to any untoward incident. Volunteers from the National Service Scheme (NSS), National Cadet Corps (NCC), Scouts and Guides will also assist the police in managing crowds and supporting the overall security arrangements.
Emphasising road safety, SP Rai made a special appeal to motorists, pedestrians and Puja visitors to strictly follow traffic rules. Recalling a tragic road accident that occurred on Ashtami last year, he urged everyone to exercise caution and avoid behaviour that could endanger lives during the celebrations.
He stressed that no-entry restrictions and designated parking regulations must be followed without exception. While acknowledging that these measures might cause temporary inconvenience to commuters, he said they were necessary to ensure public safety and prevent traffic-related incidents. He appealed to the public to cooperate with traffic personnel and comply with the restrictions in the larger interest of everyone's safety.
The SP also issued a strong warning against forcible collection of donations in the name of Durga Puja. Making the administration's position clear, he said the police would follow a zero-tolerance approach towards coercive chanda collection and extortion. Collecting money through intimidation or pressure is illegal and will invite strict action if complaints are received, he warned.
However, voluntary contributions made willingly by members of the public for organising Puja celebrations would not be objected to, he clarified. The distinction between voluntary donations and coercive collection, he indicated, must be respected by all Puja organisers and others involved in the festivities.
Concluding his appeal, Rai urged people not to pay heed to rumours and to maintain mutual respect, communal harmony and social responsibility throughout the celebrations. He said the collective cooperation of residents, Puja committees and visitors would be essential to making the festival peaceful, safe and memorable for everyone.
Additional Superintendent of Police Ashish Kumar Thakur and Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Jayanta Karmakar were also present at the press conference.
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