Police on Thursday night carried out a checking drive as part of security measures for Durga Puja and Dusshera. Senior police officers, including SSP Manu Maharaaj and other officers visited various areas assessing the security arrangements.

Before carrying out the checking drive, the SSP held a meeting at Police Lines to assess the security arrangements. The SSP issued directives as part of security arrangements during Dussehra. As per instructions, the city will be divided into 10 zones with a control room in each zone. The control room will functional round-the-clock. Similarly, at big temples and Devi Peeths, where a large number of devotees visit during Durga Puja, 10 police personnel will be deployed.

Similarly, the police have identified some Puja pandals which witness large crowds — Dak Bungalow roundabout, Boring Road, SK Puri, Raja Bazaar, Kadamkuan, Govind Mitra and others.

On Thursday, state DGP K.S. Dwivedi held a meeting with senior IG, DIG, SSP and SP rank officers where he issued directives for the festivals. On Thursday, the cops booked 12 criminals under the Crime Control Act (CCA). Under the act, criminals lodged in jail do not get bail from a lower court.

The police decided to book the criminals under CCA apprehending they could come out of jail and create law and order problems. On Friday, the cops busted an inter-state robbers’ gang. The six-members gang from Uttar Pradesh used to target houses in isolated areas. Police said the gang used to attack people if faces with any retaliation.

Maharaaj said: “The police will keep an eye on bikers gangs. These gangs comprising mostly youngsters are involved in petty crimes such as chain snatching.”

The police will also keep an eye on criminals spreading rumours to incite communal tension. Instructions have been issued to intensify operations against liquor traders and smugglers.