Mandals told to install CCTVs at pandals

A meeting of about 1,000 members from over 200 mandals was held at the Pune police headquarters in Shivajinagar on Saturday evening. All senior officers,including Police Commissioner Meeran Borwankar,Joint Commissioner of Police Sanjeevkumar Singhal,all the deputy commissioners of police and senior inspectors of all city police stations,were present at the meeting,convened by the special branch of Pune police.

Deputy commissioner of police (special branch) Makrand Ranade said,“We had invited suggestions from the mandals for smooth arrangements for the Ganesh festival. All their suggestions have been taken into account. We have also communicated to them our expectation from them specially from the security point of view.”

Ranade said,“Many Ganesh mandals have promised to install CCTV cameras at their pandals and nearby chowks. On the similar lines we have asked all other mandals to install cameras. On the backdrop of recent terror attacks in Mumbai this measure has a lot of importance.”

Each mandal has been allowed to erect only two box type arches that too with the specifications of last year. “We have asked mandals to keep sufficient distance between two legs of these arches so that there is no problem in checking visitors,” Ranade said,adding,“We have urged mandals not to have huge sound systems as they cause noise pollution.”

Police said Ganesh mandals will be permitted to set up pandals in the space which they were allowed last year. Along with members of Ganesh mandals,members of peace committees from various police stations were also present for the meeting. “In the discussion with the police we were asked to be very cautious and extra vigilant for this year. Installing CCTV cameras will help us in being more alert ,” said Amit Survase,a Ganesh mandal member.