16,000 cops on City streets for Ganesha, Bakrid festivals

Bengaluru : City police have made elaborate security arrangements to avoid any untoward incidents during Gowri-Ganesha and Bakrid festivals which fall within a span of ten days.

“As many as 16,000 personnel drawn from Home Guards and the KSRP will be pressed into service. The City police will not be able to utilise services of the Central forces as they have been deputed for election duty in Bihar,” City Police Commissioner N S Megharik said on Tuesday.

The commissioner requested various groups installing Ganesha pandals to immerse the idols within 11 days. “It will be difficult for the police to ensure security if the immersion period is long as Ganesha festival is on September 17 and Bakrid on September 24.

Organisers should ensure that vehicular movement is not affected,” Megharik said.

It is mandatory for organisers to obtain permission from local police to instal Ganesha pandals. They should display names and contact numbers of the office-bearers and members of the organisation outside the pandals.

Enough volunteers to help local residents and devotees should be employed. Loudspeakers are allowed between 6 am and 10 pm every day, the commissioner said. Organisers should also inform the local police in advance about the date and time of idol immersion, he said.

Megharik warned that stern action will be taken against those extracting money in the name of Ganesha festival.

Peace meetings

The police have requested community organisations, residents’ welfare associations and mohalla chiefs to conduct peace meetings with local police as Ganesha and Bakrid festivals fall within a span of 10 days.

Measures should be taken to curb drag racing and wheeling during the festivals. Local residents should share any information about suspicious persons and materials with the police, Megharik added.