20,000 police personnel deployed for Ganesh immersion in Hyderabad on Sept 25
Hyderabad, Sept 23 (TNT): Hyderabad City Police has deployed around 20,000 personnel and made elaborate security arrangements for the final Ganesh immersion procession scheduled for September 25, officials said on Wednesday.
The arrangements include surveillance through 10,000 CCTV cameras and 24 drones, besides deployment of 42 platoons comprising 8,142 personnel from other districts across seven security zones.
Four companies of the Rapid Action Force and two companies of the CRPF have also been deployed at sensitive locations, while 53 Bomb Detection teams are conducting security checks at key locations, including city entry points, bus terminals, railway stations and shopping malls.
Police said DJ systems, sound mixers, high-decibel audio equipment and firecrackers have been prohibited during the procession in accordance with Supreme Court guidelines on public health and noise pollution.
In a press conference, Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar appealed to citizens to maintain restraint, follow traffic advisories and cooperate with the police to ensure peaceful conduct of the immersion.
He warned of strict action against misconduct, hate speech, inflammatory content and rumours on social media, and urged organisers to ensure that idols are immersed only at designated water bodies and that experienced drivers are appointed for immersion vehicles.
Around 25 lakh devotees have so far visited Khairatabad Bada Ganesh and 15 lakh visited Balapur Ganesh, according to police.
Special security arrangements have been made at both locations in view of the expected crowds on the final day.
Police said preparations began three months ago in coordination with various government departments, idol manufacturers, festival organisers and peace committees.
Of the 15,426 applications received for pandal permissions, 14,929 were granted after field verification and all approved pandals were geotagged.
So far, 32,878 idols have been immersed across various areas, including 6,108 within Hyderabad city limits. As many as 2,161 idols were immersed within city limits during the last 24 hours.
More than 10,000 CCTV cameras along the major procession routes have been integrated with the Telangana State Police Integrated Command and Control Centre (TGICCC) at Banjara Hills.
Another 24 drones and nearly 100 high-rise cameras will monitor crowd movement and procession routes.
Control rooms have been established at TGICCC, NTR Marg, People’s Plaza, Necklace Road and Moghalpura Sports Complex for round-the-clock monitoring and coordination.
Expert divers, rescue boats, ambulances, fire tenders and emergency equipment have also been deployed at major water bodies and along the procession routes.
Twenty-six SHE Teams are operating in three shifts for the safety of women and girls.
Since the festival began on September 14, the teams have apprehended 1,172 persons, including 1,121 adults and 51 minors, for alleged indecent behaviour at crowded locations.
On the final immersion day, 139 CCS personnel, divided into five sectors, along with 25 specialised plainclothes teams will monitor crowd activity to prevent theft and harassment, the Commissioner added.
TNT TS
