In the wake of escalating tensions with neighbouring Pakistan, a meeting was convened on Saturday at the District Review Building. The meeting was jointly presided over by District Magistrate Dr. Nawal Kishore Chaudhary and Senior Superintendent of Police Hriday Kant. And, one of the ways security can be better is if people volunteer for the Bhagalpur Civil Defence and take on some responsibilities.
During the meeting, comprehensive strategies were discussed to strengthen the district’s security framework. Authorities decided to enhance surveillance and protection at all critical infrastructures and sensitive locations. These include educational institutions such as the university, key transit points like the railway station, as well as energy and utility sites, including the power grid, NTPC, and gas pipelines.
Additionally, religious and tourist sites such as the Budhanath Temple, Ajaibinath Dham, Bateshwar Nath, and Kuppaghat were marked as areas requiring increased vigilance. The administration emphasized the need for proactive monitoring to prevent the spread of rumours and hoarding of essential supplies.
District Magistrate Dr. Chaudhary reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and security during these uncertain times and directed all departments to remain on high alert. He further instructed officials to ensure coordination among various agencies for a quick response and public assurance.
Fire Crackers Prohibited Amid War Tension
A declaration should be taken from the marriage hall that firecrackers will not be burst during the wedding. Furthermore, the sound system will not be played at high volume. Drones will not fly anywhere without permission. He directed all SDOs and SDPOs to inspect the firecracker shops.
Join Bhagalpur Civil Defence As A Volunteer
District Magistrate Dr. Nawal Kishore Chaudhary directed officials to prepare a list of citizens willing to voluntarily join the Civil Defence force. He emphasized the need to involve local communities in security and emergency preparedness during the ongoing tense situation.
He instructed that strict action be taken to prevent hoarding, with the Supply Department tasked with ensuring smooth distribution of essential commodities, particularly food grains. Timely delivery and availability were stressed as key factors in maintaining public confidence and order.
Further, the DM ordered that prisoners detained under the National Investigation Agency (NIA) be kept separately, highlighting the need for heightened caution regarding national security detainees.
To avoid any potential unrest, large-scale religious gatherings have been temporarily discouraged. However, at smaller religious events, volunteers with identifiable badges will be deployed to ensure crowd management and coordination.
Authorities have also been asked to closely monitor individuals with a history of involvement in explosives-related cases. Considering the situation, it’s important to keep them under surveillance as a preventive measure. The Cyber Cell has been directed to remain vigilant and take immediate action against misinformation and rumour-mongering on social media platforms.
The formation of a Police Quick Response Team (QRT) has been ordered to ensure rapid intervention during critical incidents. Additionally, in the event of fire outbreaks, the concerned Circle Officer (CO) and Block Development Officer (BDO) must immediately reach the site. They must initiate a community kitchen to support affected residents.
The comprehensive instructions underline the district administration’s commitment to ensuring public safety, communal harmony, and preparedness in light of the rising national security concerns.
Don’t Trust WhatsApp
Senior Superintendent of Police Hriday Kant cautioned against blindly trusting WhatsApp messages. He advised that any post should be verified before being forwarded. He also instructed the formation of a “cyber warrior” group to monitor activities on social media. Rumors about shortages of goods could easily spread, citing a previous incident involving salt scarcity.
Kant emphasized that any unusual activity in marketplaces should be investigated without delay. Suspicious individuals must also be thoroughly checked. Any relevant information should be immediately reported to the district control room. Additionally, anyone found staying at railway stations, hotels, or roadside eateries without an Aadhaar number must be verified.
The meeting was attended by Municipal Commissioner Dr. Preeti, City SP Shubhank Mishra, and Deputy Development Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Singh. Sub-Divisional Officers, Sub-Divisional Police Officers, Block Development Officers, and Circle Officers were also a part of this meeting.
