PRAYAGRAJ: Hundreds of police officers from throughout the state who were responsible for providing security during the recently finished 47-day annual Magh Mela in Prayagraj will be granted three days of special leave for their efforts. Their leave had been revoked owing to poll duty, but they will now be permitted to use it in their respective districts. Following the conclusion of the Magh Mela, police officers were sent to poll duty in various areas during the seven phases of voting. Many of the officers were dispatched to polling stations without previously being assigned to their appropriate districts. Rajeev Narayan Mishra, SP Magh Mela, stated that police officers on duty at the Magh Mela can now take advantage of their special three-day leave.
An order in this regard has been distributed to all districts. Policemen may use their leave after registering at their local police stations, he noted. A 5,000-man force comprised of civil police, PAC, and paramilitary personnel was posted on Mela duty to protect the safety of pilgrims and Kalpwasis. During the primary bathing days, a special emphasis was placed on security, and police officers were stationed in key areas as well as at various ghats. To preserve the purity of the Magh Mela, only vegetarian police officers were assigned duty. During the Mela, scores of police officers became sick with Covid-19 and were quarantined.