Faster, Higher, Stronger

There were rumours of possible terror attacks but the city overcame such fears as devotees ended their celebrations on a high and came out stronger, encouraged to do even better next time.

There were some sour notes, though. The police lathicharged the crowd after a few mandals tried to delay the proceedings in protest against a directive to shut down loudspeakers after midnight. Also, at least four people drowned. And there were the terror rumours.

The procession was flagged off at 10.30 am on Sunday by Mayor Rajlaxmi Bhosale, who performed the aarti of Kasba Ganpati, the presiding deity of the city. It ended by 2.45 pm on Monday. The Mayor and Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar garlanded the deity and felicitated mandal heads at Alka Chowk

The procession was delayed for some time on Tilak Road. Mandals continued to play loudspeakers; police forced many to stop, leading to a delay till the police used a mild lathicharge, forcing processionists to move faster.

There was a mild lathicharge on Laxmi Road, too. A few mandals also burst crackers despite the police8217;s appeal. However, most co-operated, the police said.

Terror rumours
Panic spread briefly among revelers following rumours that the police had received information about a terror plan to carry out attacks during the procession. Some senior police officers initially confirmed the report; the news was even flashed on a few television channels. One channel reported that Pune police had received an anonymous letter with information on planned attacks at important immersion sites.

A police officer, too, told The Indian Express that they had received 8220;specific information8221;. However, they later conceded it had all been rumours.

Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh, who was monitoring security, told reporters that everything was under control and advised citizens against believing in rumours.

Four youths drown
Three youths drowned in a canal near Dias Plot in Market Yard while trying to immerse an idol on Sunday. Naresh Sitaram Mavkal 24, Rahul Raghunath Jindal 21 and Rajesh Sharnappa Jarmandi 25 were from Solapur.

Police said the three had entered the canal and been carried away by the current. The fire brigade recovered the body of Naresh on Monday; the others have not been found. The search started late because the police were informed in the evening.

In the river Indrayani, Ratankumar Nizamchandra Das 22 of Bangerwadi in Lonavala drowned while trying to immerse an idol on Monday afternoon.

Swimmer missing
In a possible accident not related directly to immersion, 30-year-old Mahesh Zambre of Aranyeshwar Sahkarnagar disappeared after he went swimming in the Indrayani from Baba Bhide Bridge at Deccan Gymkhana on Monday. Police fear he has drowned and are looking for his body. A body was fished out of a canal near Empress Garden; it is yet to be identified.