PURI: To ensure safety of the visitors, the Tourism and Police departments jointly launched patrolling by PCR vans on Puri-Konark and Puri-Chilika (Satpara) via Brahmagiri routes. Minister for Tourism and Culture Ashok Kumar Panda and SP Asish Kumar Singh flagged of the PCR vehicles on Sunday from Puri beach.
“The vehicles would curb the harassment of tourists along these routes. Toll-free helpline number 18002002524 would be operational for Sea Beach police station,” Panda said while addressing a function organised on the occasion. The Minister said eight special tourist desks would function in eight coastal police stations of the State including four in Puri.
While two PCR vans would cover Puri-Konark Marine Drive via Balghai, two other vans would patrol Puri-Chilika via Brahmagiri route.
As per the arrangement, the Tourism Department would provide 15 litres of fuel for each vehicle per day while the SP has deployed 20 policemen, five for each vehicle.
The Tourism Department would provide special uniform with tourist police insignias, Panda said. Extensive patrolling and police presence along these two important tourist routes are likely to curb anti-social activities, he added.
Local legislator Maheswar Mohanty, Collector Arabind Agarwal and Tourist Officer BK Jena were present.
Four Arrested in Firing Incident
Puri: Four persons were arrested by police in connection with the firing incident at Khadipada Chhack under Sadar police limits on Thursday. Samkar Pradhan of Kanthapur died on the spot and Somanath Raut of Khadipada sustained injuries in the incident. Briefing mediapersons on Saturday, ASP Banabehari Sahu said a country made pistol, four mobile phones and three motorcycles were seized from their possession. The accused have been identified as Kalia Bhoi of Rebatiraman village, Dipak Mohanty of Khadipada, Durga Dutta of Kanthpur and Gobinda Bhoi of Mangalaghat. The main culprit Ramesh Bhoi is absconding, police said and added that the attack was a fallout of a dispute over tender work. The weapon used in the crime is yet to be traced. Further investigation is on.