Hyderabad increases security ahead of Ganesh immersion procession

Hyderabad: Security personnel have flooded the city of Hyderabad on the eve of the main Ganesh immersion procession, due to take place on Wednesday.

Over 250,000 state police and paramilitary forces have been deployed as part of the arrangements to keep the city safe.

Hyderabad city police commissioner A K Khan, who decided on the measures in light of Sunday’s terror attack in Delhi, says they will remain in place till September 24, when the court verdict in the Babri Masjid title case is expected.

Senior officers who have served in Hyderabad during past Ganesh processions have also been deployed and all police officers have been ordered to report to duty.
All public gatherings have been banned until September 27.
Police are stationed across the city, patrolling has intensified and security at Hitec city and MNCs has been tightened.

A total of 30 bomb disposal teams are in place and over 600 videographers are due to record the movement of the procession from different areas of the city to the Hussain Sagar Lake. This is in addition to the CCTV cameras already in place on several main roads and traffic junctions.

Khan said that of the 15,000 idols installed in the city, 5,000 were expected to be immersed in the Hussain Sagar lake where 80 cranes have been installed for the purpose.

On the rumours of possible trouble on the day of the Babri Masjid verdict, Khan said that irrespective of how the judgement goes, peace and communal harmony should be maintained.

“We will deal strictly with anybody who tries to create trouble and spread hatred through MSM. We’ve asked the service providers to keep a watch on those sending bulk messages,” he warned.