Security stepped up in city for festivals, counter any response to global events

‘No law-and-order issues’ during protests

A police officer said that though there were protests in Dongri and Govandi where a large section of the Shia community resides, there were no law-and-order issues.

An officer said that a protest was organized with photographs of the Ayatollah and banners along with sloganeering outside the Mughal Masjid in Dongri. “There were, however, no law-and-order issues and people dispersed after some time,” the officer said.

An officer from the eastern suburbs said a protest took place outside the Bada Imambara in Govandi where nearly 400 – 500 people had gathered. “There were no issues as it was mostly people paying their respects to the Ayatollah. Candles were lit in front of his photographs, prayers were recited and later people left,” the officer said.

A senior officer said that Mumbai Police had been on high alert for the past few days as they were preparing for Holi festival amid the Ramzan month.

“Usually there is no issue but at such times, a small issue can snowball into violence. Hence, we maintain a massive police presence,” he said.

The officer said they have deployed extra police personnel at Jewish sites like Chhabad house. “While usually there is police presence there, we have asked the local police to be alert in case and to be on the lookout for threats,” the official added.