Panchkula: The state’s first police post opened at the Shri Mata Mansa Devi temple complex in Panchkula on Sunday.Equipped with an advanced surveillance system, trained police personnel and dedicated assistance facilities, the post aims to provide devotees from across the country with a safe and smooth pilgrimage experience.Inaugurated by Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday, the initiative is expected to promote religious tourism by making police assistance, guidance and grievance redressal readily accessible on the temple premises.Police officers briefed the chief minister on the functioning of the post, facilities available and security arrangements in place. He appreciated the initiative, observing that a large number of devotees from different states visit the Mata Mansa Devi Temple and require timely assistance, taking into account their diverse languages and needs.A total of 20 specially trained police personnel have been deployed at the post round the clock. They have also undergone training in polite behaviour, effective communication and soft skills to improve interactions with visitors and strengthen public confidence in the police.Police commissioner Pankaj Nain said the post has been developed as an integrated assistance and information centre where devotees can obtain information about general and VIP darshan queues, the shoe-deposit facility, prasad, langar and other temple-related services. Visitors will also receive guidance on bus stands, railway stations, auto-rickshaw and e-rickshaw stands, and parking facilities.Besides, devotees will be provided with information about other prominent religious destinations in the region, including Shri Kali Mata Temple in Kalka and Shri Chandi Mata Temple, along with directions to reach these places.More than 100 CCTV cameras installed across the temple complex will be monitored live from the control room established at the tourist police post. The surveillance system will help police keep a close watch on suspicious activities and take timely action to prevent pickpocketing, chain snatching and other crimes. Information about active offenders and suspicious persons will also be used to improve monitoring.Announcements will be made over loudspeakers to alert and guide devotees.One of the key features of the initiative is the facility to register complaints on the temple premises. Earlier, devotees had to visit the Mata Mansa Devi police station, located around two kilometres away, to report incidents such as missing persons or lost belongings. The new post will provide facilities for FIR registration and daily diary entries, making it easier for devotees to report incidents and seek police assistance without leaving the temple complex.Tourist police personnel will also coordinate with the Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board, the health department, the fire department and other agencies during medical emergencies, crowd surges, stampede-like situations and VIP movements.Haryana DGP Ajay Singhal said the initiative will provide guidance, complaint redressal and essential assistance under one roof, while also promoting religious tourism and strengthening security at major religious destinations.Earlier, the chief minister and his wife paid obeisance at the temple on the first day of Navratri.Over Rs 25 lakh donatedDevotees made donations worth Rs 25,10,085 at the Shri Mata Mansa Devi Temple, Shri Kali Mata Temple , Kalka and Chandi Mata Temple on the first day of the Ashwin Navratri fair on Sunday.The three temples witnessed a large influx of devotees, with 47,000 visiting the Shri Mata Mansa Devi Temple, 12,000 visiting Shri Kali Mata Temple, Kalka and 3,200 visiting the Chandi Mata Temple to seek the blessings of the Goddess.Deputy commissioner Satpal Sharma, who is also chief administrator of the Shri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board, said that donations worth Rs 20,43,374 were received at the Shri Mata Mansa Devi Temple, Rs 2,38,241 at Shri Kali Mata Temple, Kalka and Rs 2,28,470 at the Chandi Mata temple. In addition to cash donations, devotees also offered four silver items at the Shri Mata Mansa Devi temple.
