Ganesh immersion: Small idols need to clear security checks

Security arrangements for the Ganesh immersion on Tuesday have reached a peak with the police,

Security arrangements for the Ganesh immersion on Tuesday have reached a peak with the police, for the first time, deciding to check each and every small Ganesh idol on way to the Hussain Sagar.

“We have observed that during the procession on the last day, people from various localities, who do not wish to travel all the way to the Hussain Sagar, give away their idols to be immersed alongside the bigger ones. We felt small quantities of explosives could be planted in these small idols,” a police official told The Indian Express.

Further, the authorities have chalked out multi-layered security components. “We are providing bomb disposal squads every two to three km along the 40-km stretch from Balapur to Hussain Sagar.

Story continues below this ad

“The teams have begun checking roads, culverts, dust-bins and construction sites en route,” officials said. The police have dedicated nearly 40-odd bomb disposal squads for the procession going through the main route. Policemen in plainclothes will also be moving along the route.

All major pandals and mosques have already been provided with door-frame metal detectors and thorough frisking is going on. At places, where they cannot be installed, hand-held metal detectors have been provided to scan visitors.

“Besides the 9,000-odd city police, we will be deploying 15,000 personnel, including forces from districts and paramilitary forces,” Additional Commissioner of Police (Coordination) N V Surendra Babu said.

Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Sonu and Thippiri Tirupathi alias Devuji

Spate of surrenders later, Maoists get new public liaison who vouches for ‘armed struggle’

India4 hr ago

The banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) has found a new public voice after its ideological head Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Sonu surrendered along with 60 cadres in Maharashtra earlier this month. According to Telangana intelligence sources, Thippiri Tirupathi alias Devuji, believed to be the current General Secretary of the party, has doubled up as its public face under the pseudonym Abhay

View all shorts

Live Blog

PHOTOS