Tight Security For Ganesh Chaturthi

Hyderabad City Police Commissioner A K Khan on Saturday assured that all necessary measures will be taken to provide tight security for the forthcoming Vinayaka Chaturthi festival.

Talking to media persons, Khan said that his department will ensure that no untoward incident takes place, and that the festival passes by peacefully.

Khan said that the security around the Hussain Sagar Lake would be tightened from the first day of immersion. He added that the police presence this year will be higher than ever before.

He said that Ganesh idols can be installed in public places only after obtaining prior permission, in writing, from the concerned police stations or Divisional Assistant Commissioners of Police.

He said that the application forms seeking permission to install Ganesh idols will have to be handed over at police stations.

The organizers seeking permission for installation should furnish a 'No Objection Certificate' from the owner of the premises or land, and required precautions should be taken to maintain peace, tranquillity and public order.

The police chief also warned that forcible collection of funds, whether called donation or 'Chanda' or by any other name, will not be allowed. He warned that such collection of funds in the name of religion and religious functions was strictly prohibited.

He said that enough cranes would be at hand to help in the immersion of the idol.

Khan said that the police will focus on known trouble-makers, and, if necessary, take them into custody as a precautionary measure.

The city police had deployed around 26,000 police personnel last year to oversee the immersion of around 13,000 idols in the Hussain Sagar and other water bodies around the city.

This year, hand-held metal detectors, deep search mine detectors, vehicle inspection mirrors, explosives vapour detector and sniffer dogs are expected to be pressed into services.

Vehicle checking at all entry and exit points and crowded places, including railway and bus stations, lodges and restaurants, would be conducted at random as part of the security measures.

Plainclothes policemen would be deployed at the bus and railway stations to keep a constant vigil and prevent any security lapse.

Courtesy: INN