‘Vighnaharta’: Mumbai Police on alert for last day of Ganpati immersions

The Mumbai police have cancelled leave of all police personnel on Thursday, for Anant Chaturdashi immersions, which mark the end of the 11-day Ganesh festival.

The Mumbai police have cancelled leave of all police personnel on Thursday, for Anant Chaturdashi immersions, which mark the end of the 11-day Ganesh festival.

Preparation at Juhu beach on Wednesday ahead of Ganesh Immersion in Mumbai. (Satish Bate/HT PHOTO)

The Mumbai police have appealed to people to stay alert and not believe rumours. Citizens should immediately dial 100 or alert a policeman if they spot any suspicious object or person. The Mumbai police will conduct checks at strategic locations across the city and also at entry/exit points.

Devotees surround Lalbaugcha Raja idol of Hindu god Ganesha on the last day of Ganesha Chaturthi festival in Lalbaug area Mumbai on Thursday. (Pratham Ghokale/HT Photo)

Aerial surveillance has been improvised to ensure there is no any untoward incident. “We have cancelled weekly-offs and police personnel will be on roads to ensure security,” said Deven Bharti, joint commissioner of police (law and order) told HT. “We have increased the number of drones.”

The Mumbai’s control room that monitors CCTV cameras installed across strategic locations in the city has been asked to remain vigilant. A general alert has been sounded, while security has been stepped up at immersion points in the city such as Girgaum, Juhu, Shivaji Park, Versova and Powai lake, among others. Coastal security has been beefed up with high-speed patrol boats constantly monitoring the situation.

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