Ahmedabad:
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad amid tight security.
Over 22000 security personnel have been deployed along the 19 km long route for the Rath Yatra. An alert has been sounded across the city following intelligence reports that the yatra could be targetted. The chariots of Balbhadra and Subadhra are moving through the possession.
Meanwhile, despite a severe shortage of security forces following a rise in incidents of Naxal violence in Orissa, 81 platoons of armed police and 2 companies of Rapid Action Force and over 2000 security personnel will be deployed for the Puri Rath Yatra to be held on Wednesday.
While a large number of intelligence officials will be watching out for suspicious elements, several units of the bomb disposal and sniffer dog squads will also be pressed into service.
PTI adds:
In Ahmedadabad, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi symbolically cleaned the road from where the chariots of Lord Jagannath Balram and their Sister Subhadra passes.
The Rath Yatra, oldest in the state, had devotees lined up alongside the chariots of Lord Jagannath, brother Balram and sister Shubhadra.
Eighteen decorated elephants and 98 decorated trucks will participate in the yatra in which three big decorated chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balram and their sister Subhadra will be pulled by 1,000 devotees.
The main chariots are closely followed by colourfully adorned elephants, trucks, motor vehicles, pilgrims on foot, acrobats and gymnasts.
Unprecedented security arrangements have been made in the city for the smooth conduct of the yatra, which is the first after the serial blasts last year.
Central paramilitary forces and state police have been deployed at various location in Ahmedabad.