Kochi, Thursday 11 February 2010: The police have made elaborate arrangements for the Aluva Sivarathri festival on Friday and Saturday. A round-the-clock police control room will function at the Manappuram, with the phone number 0484-2608100.

Nearly 1,200 policemen, 120 sub-inspectors, 50 Circle Inspectors and 10 Dy.SPs have been deployed along with home guards to handle the law and order situation on these days.

Besides this, specially trained 100-odd police women have been deployed in plainclothes to spot pick-pockets and eve-teasers. The police have also set up 20 hidden cameras as part of enhanced surveillance against anti-socials elements.

Services boats will be kept ready to evacuate pilgrims in case of emergencies. Lifebuoys, Naval diving experts and police boats from the district and Alappuzha will be available at the Periyar river all through the festival.

During the festival period, the Manappuram and nearby areas have been declared as begging-free zone. Temporary one-way arrangement has been made for pilgrims coming to Manappuram from Kottaram ghat side.