Devotees seek round-the-clock police patrolling on Girivalam path to improve public safety

Residents, including devotees, on Girivalam path of Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai have been demanding round-the-clock patrol by special police teams around the path to ensure the safety of devotees from petty crimes at night.

Residents said that, with the ‘Aadi’ festival season having begun, the town has been witnessing a surge in devotees, especially from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, to offer prayers at the temple.

“As Girivalam Path is open round the clock, devotees walk on the path especially in evening and early morning hours. Round the clock patrol on the path should be strengthened to the ensure the safety of visitors,” said G. Pavithra, a devotee.

As part of the second phase of the demolition drive, the State Highways Department razed encroachments along the remaining nine km of the path. “Based on orders of District Collector Vandana Garg, encroachments on the entire path are being demolished. The entire exercise will be completed in two days,”S. Anbarasu, Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE), State Highways (Tiruvannamalai), told The Hindu.

Last week, illegal structures along the route were demolished over a distance of five km ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to the temple town. At present, the town witnesses more than one lakh visitors every day during the ‘Aadi’ season. Designated parking for vehicles has been provided on the outskirts of the town for outstation visitors. Health help desks and ambulances are also roped to help devotees on the path during emergencies.

However, residents and devotees said that the lack of visible police patrols, especially at night on the Girivalam path, remains a challenge to walking safely on the route.

In June, police arrested a six-member gang led by a history sheeter for attempting to sexually assault a young woman on the Girivalam Path.

Police sources said the need for such night patrols has been highlighted before the Collector during monthly meetings on law and order at the Collectorate

Corporation officials said that round-the-clock patrols by police personnel will also help to prevent encroachments like roadside eateries and pushcarts that occupy tiled footpaths on the Girivalam path.

Police sources said that regular patrolling is being done on the path every day. Round-the-clock patrolling would require additional police personnel, especially from the AR wing of the district police. A decision for such a patrol can be taken only by District Collector Vandana Garg and Superintendent of Police R. Uthayakumar. “We are awaiting their nod,” a police officer said.