Police watching CCTV camera at Our Lady of Snows Basilica in Thoothukudi.
| Photo Credit: RAJESH N
In line with ensuring robust safety and security arrangements for one of the Thoothukudi’s largest celebrations, the annual 11-day festival of Our Lady of Snows Basilica, Thoothukudi district district police is set to deploy around 1,000 police personnel on the last three days of the festival, which is from August 3 to August 5.According to the district police, a total of 660 police personnel were deployed on Sunday (July 26), the first day of the festival. From July 27 to August 2, the department is deploying 150 personnel for everyday security, crowd management, traffic regulation and preventive policing.With nearly 70,000 devotees and members of the public expected to participate during the last three days of the festival, the deployment will be increased to 1,000 police personnel to ensure comprehensive security and maintain law and order and to facilitate smooth movement of the devotees. In addition, 150 plainclothes personnel will be deployed for intensified surveillance.To facilitate vehicle parking for devotees arriving for the festival , nine designated places have been allocated near the basilica. These include Thoothukudi harbour community welfare centre premises, Caldwell School ground, Muthu Nagar beach ground, Roche Park, fishing harbour premises, St. Lasalle School ground, Chinnakoil ground, Karapetti Boys Higher Secondary School ground and St. Francis Xavier School ground.The district police stated that to further strengthen the security arrangements, 82 temporary CCTV cameras have been installed at strategic locations. In addition, six watch towers have been established for enhanced observation, and four drone cameras are being deployed for aerial surveillance. A special operation team has also been deployed for continuous monitoring and preventive security measures throughout the festival.Special arrangements have also been made for crowd management, traffic regulation, emergency response and public assistance.The Thoothukudi district police have appealed to the devotees to cooperate with security personnel, adhere to traffic regulations, make use of designated parking facilities and promptly report any suspicious persons or unattended objects to the police.Thoothukudi district police have warned that strict legal action will be taken against anyone attempting to disturb the peaceful conduct of the festival by indulging in any unlawful activities. Published - July 30, 2026 08:51 pm IST
