Arrangements made for Ganesha idol immersion

Arrangements made for Ganesha idol immersion
The Hindu

HUBLI: Elaborate security arrangements have been made in view of the first phase of immersion of Ganesha idols in Hubli city, which is scheduled to take place on Thursday.

On Wednesday, hundreds of policemen, reserve police and Home Guards took out a flag march on the route through which Ganesha idols will be taken in a procession for immersion. Police Commissioner Narayan Nadamani and senior police officials led the flag march.

The Hubli-Dharwad Police Commissionerate has already deployed three Deputy Commissioners of Police, four Assistant Commissioners of Police, 25 inspectors, 90 sub-inspectors/assistant sub-inspectors and 900 head constables/constables for bandobast duty.

Along with them, 10 platoons of the Karnataka State Reserve Police, eight platoons of the City Armed Reserve and 350 Home Guards are also being deployed for bandobast duty.

Additional forces

The commissionerate has also sought the service of additional security forces from the neighbouring districts.

Ten Deputy Superintendents of Police, 40 inspectors, 100 sub-inspectors/assistant sub-inspectors, and 1,000 head constables/constables will be in the city on Thursday to prevent any untoward incident.

Though there has been no incidence of communal violence during the immersion of Ganesha idols in the recent years, the police are not taking any chances. Apart from holding Mohalla committee meetings and peace committee meetings, the police are taking precautionary measures to ensure that the procession passes off smoothly.

The immersion of Ganesha idols will take place in two phases in Hubli, the first phase of which will be held on Thursday while the second phase will be held on Saturday.

On Thursday, the procession of Ganesha idols will commence at Durgad Bail in old Hubli. It will be flagged off by Mr. Nadamani.

Closed

As a precautionary measure, the Police Commissioner has ordered the closure of liquor shops, bars and restaurants on days when the immersion of the idols will take place. Accordingly, liquor shops will remain closed from Thursday 6 p.m. to Friday 10 a.m. and from Saturday 6 a.m. to Sunday 10 a.m.