Chennai, Sep 23 (UNI) Nearly 20,000 crops, including over 16,500 police personnel
and 2,000 Home Guards, have been deployed on security duty in connection with
the Lord Vinayaga Idol immersion to be held in the city on Sunday.
After wee-klong festivities that began on September 18, more than 1,500 idols, of
various hues and sizes, which were installed in various parts mof the city with
police permission, were taken in a procession and were immersed in the sea and
in other water bodies identified by the police.
Security has been tightened at all vantage points to ensure peaceful conduct of
puja, procession and immersion of Vinayaka idols in the city.
Following guidelines issued by the Madras High Court and the restrictins imposed
by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board for immersion of idols in waterbodies,
the Greater Chennai Police have given permission for installation of 1,519 Vinayaka
idols, based on assurances given by festival organisers that they would adhere to
all the norms.
The Bharathiya Shiv Sena, the Hindu Munnani and Hindu Makkal Katchi have planned
processions and the immersion of idols at designated places on Sunday.
A total of 17 procession routes have been identified. Permission had been given
to immerse idols in the sea at four places coming under the Greater Chennai Police
jurisdiction. They included Srinivasapuram (Pattinapakkam), Palgalainagar
(Neelankarai on the ECR), Kasimedu Fishing Harbour and behind the Tiruvottiyur
weigh bridge in North Chennai.
Commissioner of Police Sandeep Rai Rathore said on Saturday that police personnel
would monitor all places where Vinayaka idols had been installed and two-wheeler
and four-wheeler patrol vehicles has been maintaining constant vigil.
On the Marina beach front, all arrangements were put in place to immerse the idols
with the help of conveyor belts, cranes and boats. Further, fire engines, ambulances,
motorboats, local fishermen and swimmers were on standby to handle any emergency.
Watch towers were also erected at immersion points. Mounted police and personnel
on all-terrain vehicles (beach buggies) were deployed to prevent any untoward
incidents.
UNI GV 2140