Hyderabad: 20,000 Police Personnel Deployed for Final Ganesh Immersion
Hyderabad: Hyderabad City Police have made extensive security arrangements for the final Ganesh idol immersion procession scheduled for Friday, deploying nearly 20,000 personnel along with central forces and advanced surveillance systems.
Hyderabad City Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar said 6,108 Ganesh idols within the city limits had been immersed so far, including 2,161 idols during the previous 24 hours.
More than 10,000 CCTV cameras installed along major procession routes have been connected to the Telangana State Police Integrated Command and Control Centre (TGICCC) in Banjara Hills. Police are also using 24 drones and nearly 100 high-resolution cameras to monitor crowd movement and assist with automated idol counting.
Personnel equipped with high-powered binoculars and wireless communication equipment have been deployed on rooftops along key routes.
A central control room at TGICCC, along with specialised control rooms at NTR Marg, People's Plaza, Necklace Road and Moghalpura Sports Complex, will coordinate security, emergency response and assistance operations.
Rescue and Emergency Arrangements
Expert divers and rescue boats from the Indian Army and the Tourism Department have been positioned near major water bodies to respond to emergencies during the immersion.
Police have also deployed ambulances, fire tenders, watchtowers, generators and dedicated mechanical teams to deal with medical emergencies, fire incidents, power requirements and vehicle breakdowns.
Around 20,000 personnel from the Law and Order, Traffic, Task Force, Special Branch, City Security Wing and CAR units of the Hyderabad Commissionerate will be deployed.
In addition, 42 platoons comprising 8,142 personnel from other districts have been assigned to seven security zones, according to the Hyderabad Police Commissioner.
Four Rapid Action Force (RAF) companies will be deployed in Charminar, Golconda, Rajendranagar and Shamshabad, while two CRPF companies will be stationed in Khairatabad and Secunderabad.
As many as 53 Bomb Detection teams will conduct security checks across the city. Senior officers of IG and DIG rank will supervise security arrangements at critical junctions, including Mozamjahi Market and Basheerbagh.
SHE Teams to Monitor Women's Safety
Police have also increased surveillance to protect women and young girls during the immersion festivities.
Twenty-six SHE Teams are operating in three shifts. According to police, the teams have apprehended 1,172 people since the beginning of the festival on September 14 for allegedly engaging in indecent behaviour at crowded locations, including Khairatabad and Balapur. The figure includes 1,121 adults and 51 minors.
On the final immersion day, 139 Crime Control Scheme personnel divided into five sectors and 25 specialised plainclothes teams will monitor crowds and help prevent incidents such as theft and harassment.
Women facing distress have been advised to contact Dial 112 or the SHE Teams WhatsApp service at 9490616555.
Police Issue Advisory to Citizens
Commissioner VC Sajjanar said police had taken necessary measures to ensure the immersion procession concludes peacefully and smoothly.
He appealed to citizens to remain calm, exercise restraint and celebrate the festival peacefully. Police also warned against vulgar behaviour, hate speech, inflammatory content and the circulation of rumours on social media, stating that violations would invite action.
Citizens have been advised to follow traffic restrictions and other police advisories during the procession.
Organisers have also been urged to appoint experienced drivers, conduct route inspections in advance and maintain hygiene and safety standards while distributing prasadam.
