DEOGHAR, July 6, 2013: The killing of SP, Pakur Amarjit Balihar and five other policemen on July 2 in Dumka was one of the biggest incidents of Maoist violence in the Santhal Pargana which prompted the state administration to accept that constant vigilance is needed to control the Red menace. With around a fortnight to go for the famous Shravani Mela in Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar, district administration is on its toes and wants to leave no stone unturned in providing adequate security to the pilgrims during the month-long religious celebrations. But if the priests in the temple are to be believed, they have never faced any threat.

Deputy Commissioner, Deoghar Rahul Purvar said a meeting was held to draw comprehensive plan for safety and security arrangements during the Shravani mela. "We have divided the entire town into nine zones and each zone into three sectors and have deployed policemen and magistrates there," he said adding that the patrolling parties in each of the sectors would coordinate among themselves and keep a close vigil on everyone. "Security men in plain clothes would provide us with necessary intelligence and help the district administration manage the month-long celebrations without any occurrence of untoward incidents," he said.

The priests in the temple, however, said they were not at all concerned about the Maoist ambush that took place in Dumka. "We have been living with the Maoists around us for a long time now and they have never caused any trouble for the pilgrims or those residing in the temple premises," said Raasmuni Jha, one of the members of Panda Dharmarakshini sabha, the highest body of the temple priests.

He said every year during the Hindu month of shravan around 200 priests of the temple go to forests to collect 'bel patra'. "These bel patra have special significance and are required to worship Lord Shiva every Monday of the srawan month. These are exhibited in the temple premises and the best looking patra is used for special offering to Baba Baidyanath," he said. The priests venture into Chakai, Narganjo, Jamui and Hazaribagh forests where they spend around two-three days. These forests are home to several rebel groups who have never disturbed the priests in their religious pursuits.

Jha said some of the routes the pilgrims take from Bihar to Deoghar also have Maoist presence but never in the past has any violent incident occurred. "I believe that even the family members of the Maoists come here to offer prayers and water to Lord Shiva. They have never created any nuisance," Jha said.

The district administration has also introduced wrist bands for the devotees this time. The bands could be collected from 30 points in Deoghar and adjoining places. These bands could be activated around a dozen centres and are equipped with computer and bar coding facilities from where Suvidha passes would be issued. Purvar said once a pass is issued the devotee would be allotted a time for darshan and in return the administration would have all necessary details of the devotee recorded with them. This will help police to identify each and every person and their actual identity so that they can handle the situation in case some suspicious activity is noticed.

Source: The Times of India, DT. July 6, 2013.