Patna: Police have stepped up security across Patna ahead of Dhanteras and Diwali, deploying around 4,000 personnel and 300 additional mobile patrol teams to prevent theft, snatching and other crimes during the festive shopping rush. Jewellery showrooms, bullion markets and major shopping centres are under special watch.Patna SSP Kartikeya K Sharma said around 4,000 personnel would be deployed across the city with additional forces assigned to busy markets and shopping centres. “Around 300 extra mobile teams have also been formed specifically for patrolling. These teams will operate in different areas in addition to the regular mobile patrol units and beat teams of police stations. Emergency response teams can also be contacted through the 112 helpline,” he said.Surveillance has also been strengthened through the city’s CCTV network. Around 1,900 cameras installed across Patna will be monitored from a control room to keep watch on crowded areas and identify suspicious activity. Senior officers and police station teams have been directed to ensure adequate deployment around major markets, with equal focus on crowd management and traffic regulation.Police have intensified checks on main roads and are keeping a close watch on people with criminal records. Sharma told this newspaper on Thursday police stations had been asked to check on such individuals regularly and visit their homes to verify their activities if they failed to report as directed.Special arrangements have been made around jewellery markets in Bakarganj, Boring Road, Kankarbagh, Raja Bazar and Patna City. Women police personnel and plainclothes officers will keep watch in crowded areas to prevent pickpocketing, chain snatching and harassment.Flag marches and inspections have also been conducted in sensitive commercial areas. A team led by central superintendent of police (SP) Chandra Prakash carried out a flag march in Bakarganj, one of the city’s busiest bullion markets. Similar exercises were held in Boring Road and S K Puri.Traffic police have also been directed to ensure smooth movement near shopping destinations, with special arrangements and diversions planned to prevent congestion.
