Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Police will be the first state police force in India to deploy anti-drone technology during the upcoming consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to stay in the temple town for about three hours during the Ram Lalla ‘pran pratishtha’ programme.
Apart from lakhs of devotees, around 8,000-10,000 VIPs are expected to attend the event.To ensure a comprehensive security, central and state intelligence agencies, along with military intelligence, have been placed on high alert. Social media platforms are also being closely monitored, an officer said.
The need for anti-drone technology was highlighted during Kumbh 2019, when unauthorized drone usage by YouTubers was detected within the designated no-fly zone. Similar incidents recently took place in Ayodhya. Based on recommendations from intelligence agencies, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath chaired several meetings on acquiring the latest anti-drone system, said a senior officer at DGP headquarters, overseeing Ayodhya security.
The UP Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) is at present taking the lead in procuring the most advanced technology available. The system will be purchased and deployed for future events as well.
Explaining the capabilities of anti-drone systems, an ATS officer said: “They detect and intercept unwanted drones by scanning for specific radio frequencies or even identifying individual drone models based on their command protocols. Additionally, electro-optical and infrared sensors can detect drones through their visual and heat signatures.”
Director General (law and order), Prashant Kumar, confirmed that the state government has approved the deployment of modern security measures based on internationally used best practices for such events.
Approximately Rs 90 crore has been allocated for purchasing and installing security equipment. The installation process is already underway and expected to be completed within the next few days by the Uttar Pradesh Rajkiya Nirman Nigam (UPRNN), he said.
Further strengthening the security ring, Rs 5 crore has been allocated for a special unit of 135 STF commandos and 16 ATS SPOT teams to be deployed in Ayodhya. Water police personnel will safeguard devotees at Saryu Ghats, equipped with recently acquired riverine equipment worth Rs 2.9 crore, including four boats, four engines, throw balls, life buoys, life jackets, rescue tubes, and dragon lights.
Apart from lakhs of devotees, around 8,000-10,000 VIPs are expected to attend the event.To ensure a comprehensive security, central and state intelligence agencies, along with military intelligence, have been placed on high alert. Social media platforms are also being closely monitored, an officer said.
The need for anti-drone technology was highlighted during Kumbh 2019, when unauthorized drone usage by YouTubers was detected within the designated no-fly zone. Similar incidents recently took place in Ayodhya. Based on recommendations from intelligence agencies, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath chaired several meetings on acquiring the latest anti-drone system, said a senior officer at DGP headquarters, overseeing Ayodhya security.
The UP Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) is at present taking the lead in procuring the most advanced technology available. The system will be purchased and deployed for future events as well.
Explaining the capabilities of anti-drone systems, an ATS officer said: “They detect and intercept unwanted drones by scanning for specific radio frequencies or even identifying individual drone models based on their command protocols. Additionally, electro-optical and infrared sensors can detect drones through their visual and heat signatures.”
Director General (law and order), Prashant Kumar, confirmed that the state government has approved the deployment of modern security measures based on internationally used best practices for such events.
Approximately Rs 90 crore has been allocated for purchasing and installing security equipment. The installation process is already underway and expected to be completed within the next few days by the Uttar Pradesh Rajkiya Nirman Nigam (UPRNN), he said.
Further strengthening the security ring, Rs 5 crore has been allocated for a special unit of 135 STF commandos and 16 ATS SPOT teams to be deployed in Ayodhya. Water police personnel will safeguard devotees at Saryu Ghats, equipped with recently acquired riverine equipment worth Rs 2.9 crore, including four boats, four engines, throw balls, life buoys, life jackets, rescue tubes, and dragon lights.