Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has released the modalities for the smooth functioning of the Swatantra Shree Mandir Surakshya Vahini (SSMSV) in Puri. Previously, the SSMSV was known as the Special Security Battalion responsible for the safety and security of Shree Jagannath Temple.
As per the modalities, the SSMSV will now will now be responsible for the safety and security of Puri Srimandir as well as Sri Gundicha Temple, Parikrama Project, Mausi Maa Temple, Bada Danda, Sri Marg and Jagannath Vihar. The force will be under the supervision of the Puri SP.
Members of the SSMSV will undergo regular drills under the supervision of the National Security Guard (NSG) to deal with any type of emergency and armed attacks. They will also be trained in bomb detection and disposal. Most importantly, the SSMSV will be equipped with modern and advanced weapons and technical equipment.
The charter of duty of SSMSV is as below:
Security-Related Duties:
- To provide foolproof and all round security to Shree Jagannath Temple (SJT). Shree Gundicha Temple, Parikrama Prakalpa. Mausi Maa Temple, Badadanda, Shree Marg, SJRC, Jagannath Vihar and other sensitive places in and around the temple.
- To neutralize any threat to the Shree Jagannath Temple and other important places in its vicinity.
- To liaise with the National Security Guard in conducting regular drills/ rehearsal to counter any armed attack or sabotage.
- To deal with all kinds of crisis, contingencies and unanticipated situations arising out of terrorism, extremism, hostage taking and the similar acts of sabotage/subversion targeting Shree Jagannath Temple.
- To develop its own anti-sabotage check and Bomb Detection and Disposal capabilities by deploying suitable trained and experienced manpower for effective access control and anti-sabotage check of SIT, its vicinity and other sensitive places.
- To use modern and latest technology and technical gadgets required for foolproof security ecosystem.
- To collect, collate, analyse and document the sensational acts of subversion/ attack on Temples or iconic structures and to devise or update suitably the counter measures.
- To maintain a close liaison with the Special Intelligence Wing, State Special Branch and District Intelligence Bureau to devise, prepare and execute situation specific operational plans on the basis of the intelligence inputs.
- To develop training curriculum and train its own personnel in anti-terrorist operations, room interventions and storming of buildings, installation so occupied by the terrorists and the like.
- To prepare blueprints and constantly up-dating it for defending the Shrec Jagannath Temple and its vicinity.
- To provide security to the Chariots during Ratha Yana and Bahuda Yatra Celebration.
Crowd Management & Crime Preventive Duties:
- To regulate the crowd/devotees in an orderly manner and with patience and due sensitivity for hassle free darshan at `Badadanda”, “Shree Marg”, “SJRC”, “Parikrama Prakalpa” and inside Shree Jagannath Temple.
- To analyse and introduce implementable state of art access control measures proportionate to the inflow of crowd.
- To develop SOPs from time to time for identification and response to suspicious persons and banned articles inside the Temple.
