The Swatantra Shree Mandir Surakshya Bahini (Srimandir Special Security Force) will soon be formed to ensure orderly and smooth darshan of deities at Shri Mandir and to handle any emergency situations, according to Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan.
Under the supervision of the National Security Guard (NSG), the security personnel of the Swatantra Shree Mandir Surakshay Bahini (SSMSV) will undergo regular drills to counter armed attacks. They will also receive training in bomb detection and disposal to be prepared for terrorist attacks. The force will be equipped with modern and advanced technical equipment to enhance security measures.
The Odisha government has released the details for the smooth functioning of the Swatantra Shree Mandir Surakshya Vahini (SSMSV) in Puri. Previously known as the Special Security Battalion responsible for the safety and security of Shree Jagannath
Temple, the SSMSV will now also be responsible for the safety and security of Puri Srimandir, 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.
There will be no direct recruitment for the Swatantra Shree Mandir Surakshay Bahini (SSMSV), and it will be headed by the Puri Superintendent of Police (SP).
According to the new details issued by the Odisha government, the SSMSV will operate as a specialized security force with its headquarters in Puri to ensure the safety and security of the Puri Srimandir.
Police personnel will be deployed on a tenure basis from the Armed Wing, OSAP, Special Security Battalions, Civil Police, and other establishments as necessary, except for the post of Assistant Commandant and above.
The initial tenure for all personnel brought on deployment or deputation basis will be three years, which can be extended by one year. Personnel may be replaced by a new group upon completion of their tenure. However, individuals can be relieved and moved out of SSMSV if their performance is unsatisfactory or for administrative reasons.
Inspectors, Sub-Inspectors (Armed), and Havildars will be deployed from the Common Cadre of the Armed Wing of State Police, while Sub Inspectors (MT)/Driver Havildars/Drivers will be engaged from the Police Motor Transport Establishment.
The selection of individuals for induction into SSMSV in the ranks of SI (Armed), ASI (Armed), Havildar (General), and Sepoy (General) will be done by a Committee headed by ADGP, Special Armed Police (SAP), Odisha, Bhubaneswar. The committee will consist of three other members, including IGP, Central Range, Cuttack, Superintendent of Police, Puri, and another officer nominated by DG & IGP in the rank of IG/DIG/SP/Commandant.
The charter of duty of SSMSV is as below:
Security-Related Duties
1. 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.
2. To neutralize any threat to the Shree Jagannath Temple and other important places in its vicinity.
3. To liaise with the National Security Guard in conducting regular drills/ rehearsal to counter any armed attack or sabotage.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. To use modern and latest technology and technical gadgets required for foolproof security ecosystem.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. To prepare blueprints and constantly up-dating it for defending the Shrec Jagannath Temple and its vicinity.
11. To provide security to the Chariots during Ratha Yana and Bahuda Yatra Celebration.
Crowd Management & Crime Preventive Duties:
1.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.
2. To analyse and introduce implementable state of art access control measures proportionate to the inflow of crowd.
3. To develop SOPs from time to time for identification and response to suspicious persons and banned articles inside the Temple.
