This Dussehra, Durga idols can be installed in public places only after police clearance is obtained in writing.
Navaratri and Dussehra this year will commence on Oct 5, with the installation of Durga idols, and conclude on Oct 14, with the final immersion procession. Several regulatory measures are being brought in to maintain peace, tranquility and public order during this period.
Anurag Sharma, IPS, the Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad city, informed the public in general, and pandal organizers in particular, that idols of Durga can be installed in public places only after police clearance is obtained in writing from the Divisional Assistant Commissioners of Police concerned.
Separate police clearance will have to be sought for each Durga idol to be installed. Application forms for idol installation and processions will be available at all the police Stations of the city from Sep 27 to Sep 29.
Persons/organizers who want to install the idols in public places, and also take out procession for immersion, may submit police clearance forms at the police stations concerned on or before Oct 1.
The application forms will have to be handed over at the respective police stations, clearly indicating the place and the date of the proposed installation, as also date, time, route and the destination of the proposed immersion procession.
Organizers should also furnish a "No Objection Certificate" from the owner of the premises or land, irrespective of whether it is private or government land. Installation will be permitted only at places where it will not cause obstruction to free flow of traffic, and where there is no threat to public peace and order.
No unauthorized electricity connection at pandals will be allowed. It shall be incumbent on the part of the organizers to apply for the supply of electricity to the APCPDCL, and to obtain permission in this regard. A certificate from the APCPDCL that the electricity connection is authorized should be enclosed with the application form.
The use of loudspeakers will be restricted to box type only, and permission will have to be taken both by the organizers who hire the equipment, and the dealers/company supplying the equipment. Noise levels should be kept within the permissible limits. A loud speaker or a public address system shall not be used during the nights between 10pm and 6am, as per the directions of the Supreme Court of India.
Organizers must provide volunteers with suitable identity cards/badges, and use them for maintaining queues and order at the time of worship in various mandaps, and to guard the idols and pandals. The guarding of idols and the precautionary measures with reference to lighting of lamps and "aarthi" will be the sole responsibility of the organizers.
Organizers who want to take out processions for the immersion of the idols must apply individually to the ACsP through the station house officers concerned, mentioning the date, time and route for the said procession, and obtain police clearance in advance.
All the applications duly filled in and with all the relevant certificates enclosed must be handed over at the respective police stations by Oct 1, and receipts obtained. Applications received later are liable to be rejected.
The station house officers and Divisional Asst. Commissioners of Police will hold meetings with the organizers in each police station's area, and finalize the arrangements before the commencement of the festival.
The organizers will have to strictly adhere to the conditions, routes and timings indicated in the police clearance, to install the Durga idols.
All the locality elders, organizers, social workers, peace committee and Maithri members and local leaders have been requested to cooperate with the police and help in maintaining public order and peace in the city.
However, the above instructions do not apply to Durga Idols installed in private residences which are not made accessible to the public and not in the public view.
However, persons installing idols in the cellars of complexes and those taking out public processions must apply for police clearance. (INN)