Kuala Lumpur: Police have assured the safety and smooth traffic flow for the Thaipusam celebrations tomorrow, with personnel stationed around Batu Caves on round-the-clock duty.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Bukit Aman Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department deputy director (Strategic Planning) Datuk K. Kumaran stated that personnel and officers have been deployed around Batu Caves to ensure the safety of visitors and smooth traffic conditions. Kumaran emphasized the importance of vigilance against pickpockets and informed that a PDRM base is available within the temple grounds for assistance in case of any crime.
He addressed these concerns during the ‘Community Policing Thaneer Panthal’ programme, part of the Thaipusam celebrations at the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple, Batu Caves. The event was attended by notable figures including Bukit Aman Special Branch E1 assistant director SAC G. Seetha Dewi M. G. Nair, Selangor deputy police chief Datuk S. Sasikala Devi, and Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department deputy director (Operations) SAC M. V. Sri Kumar Madhavan Nair.
Kumaran, along with senior PDRM officers, distributed bags containing crime prevention leaflets and water to visitors, continuing the ‘Community Policing Thaneer Panthal’ tradition. He highlighted that this initiative, ongoing since 1992, involves 88 police officers this year and aims to engage with the Indian community and other ethnic groups, as well as international visitors.
The police have proactively deployed a total of 1,306 personnel from Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and nearby contingents since last Saturday to ensure safety during the festivities, which will continue until the conclusion of the Thaipusam celebrations on February 14. Seven roads around Batu Caves will be closed in stages to manage traffic flow, including key routes like the traffic light at Kampung Melayu to Batu Caves and several slip roads.
Additionally, over 20 roads around the city centre will be closed and diverted to accommodate the chariot procession from the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple to the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple. This involves major roads such as Jalan Tun H.S. Lee, Jalan Sultan, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, and others. The return chariot procession is scheduled to commence on Wednesday, February 12, at 3 pm, following the same route.