Panchkula: Donations worth around Rs 21.03 lakh were received at the Mata Mansa Devi Temple, Kali Mata Temple in Kalka and Chandi Mata Temple on the fourth day of the Ashwin Navratri fair on Wednesday.Devotees started queuing up outside the temples at dawn. As the day progressed, 34,000 visited the Mata Mansa Devi Temple, 12,000 visited the Kali Mata Temple in Kalka and 2,000 visited the Chandi Mata Temple.Deputy commissioner and chief administrator of the Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board, Satpal Sharma, said donations worth around Rs 16.7 lakh were received at the Mata Mansa Devi Temple, Rs 3.1 lakh at the Kali Mata Temple in Kalka and Rs 1.1 lakh at the Chandi Mata Temple.Additionally, 15 gold items were donated at the Mata Mansa Devi Temple.Meanwhile, “Bhajan sandhya” is being organised daily during the Navratri fair. Renowned artists scheduled to perform include Vishwas Ji Kalka and Nishchint on Oct 15 at 6pm; Ramesh Chadha (Sweety Chadha) on Oct 16 at 7pm; Vijay Garg on Oct 17 at 7pm; Deshbandhu on Oct 18 at 7pm; and Suresh Kumar on Oct 19 at 7pm.Panchkula Police is on high alert during the festive season to maintain law and order, prevent untoward incidents and ensure public safety. Extensive security arrangements have been made across the district, and police teams are keeping a close watch on sensitive locations.DCP Panchkula Aditi Singh said intensive checking was being carried out at all 32 checkpoints established across the district, particularly on roads connecting Panchkula with neighbouring states and other districts. Additional police personnel have been deployed at inter-state border checkpoints, where vehicles and individuals are being thoroughly checked to identify suspicious activity.She added that foot patrolling had also been intensified. All PCR vehicles, police riders and emergency response vehicles (ERVs) had been placed on high alert to ensure a quick response to any emergency.Police commissioner Pankaj Nain said railway stations, bus stands, hotels, inns, dharamshalas and other public places were under special surveillance. Police teams were checking registers and records at these locations. Hotel operators had been directed not to allow anyone to stay without valid identity proof. To ensure compliance, police teams were conducting regular surprise inspections of hotels and other accommodation facilities.Panchkula Police has appealed to the public to remain alert during the festive season. Citizens have been asked to immediately report any unattended object, suspicious person or unusual activity to the nearest police station or by calling 112.
