Thrissur gears up for State School Arts Festival with tight security and anti-drug campaign

Thrissur is all set to host the State School Arts Festival, with extensive security arrangements and final-stage preparations expected to be completed within the next two days. The City police will deploy nearly 1,000 police personnel and install around 200 surveillance cameras to ensure public safety during the festival.

The police has intensified patrolling across the city, and will be giving special focus on venues providing accommodation for participants and their accompanying guardians. Accommodation facilities have been arranged at 18 locations in the city, all of which will be under the close surveillance of women police personnel, Shadow Police, and Pink Police teams. A dedicated police control room will function in coordination with the main festival venue, where operational work is currently progressing.

In the wake of the recent fire incident at Thrissur Railway Station, fire safety measures have been further strengthened. Fire and Rescue Services teams will implement strict safety protocols at all venues throughout the festival period.

Volunteer support will come from Students Police Cadets, NCC, NSS, Scout and Guides, and other student-based organisations. Police control rooms will conduct real-time monitoring using CCTV surveillance to ensure swift response to any emergency.

Human chain

As part of the festival, a human chain against drug abuse will be formed at Swaraj Round here around 3 p.m on January 9. Nearly 10,000 students from schools across the district are expected to participate in the event aiming to spread a strong anti-drug message across society. Ministers, elected representatives, and several prominent personalities will also join the initiative.

Kannur Corporation Mayor P. Indira, MLA K.V. Sumesh, and District Panchayat president Benoy Kuriyan, along with students of the Pallikunnu Government HSS, Kannur receive the gold cup of the State School Art festival, in Kannur on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit:
MOHAN S.K.

Meanwhile, the State School Arts Festival gold cup tour has begun from Kasaragod. The gold cup, awarded to the district securing the highest points at the festival, was won by Thrissur at the 63rd edition held in Thiruvananthapuram. After touring 13 districts, the gold cup will return to Thrissur on January 12.