South Goa district police have been put on high alert and Ganesh mandals across South Goa have been urged to help the police force in maintaining tight security during the ten-day Ganesh festival, which begins on September 15.
Talking to ‘The Navhind Times’, the superintendent of police, South Goa, Mr Shekhar Prabhudessai informed that in-charges of the police stations in the district have been alerted vis-à-vis the festival and have been asked to contact all Ganesh utsav mandals seeking their cooperation in maintaining tight security. Home guards and security volunteers have also been briefed to pitch in. He said that tomorrow he would hold a meeting of police officers and discuss with them security arrangement to be made for the Ganesh festival.
“We do not want to take any chances. We have to put the force on high alert. We will request mandals and hire private security agencies,” he said. Special request will be made to mandals to install close-circuit televisions (CCTVs) at their pandals as these will help the police in maintaining a strict vigil, he said.
“I will review the arrangements with the officers, take all precautions and tighten the security by getting CCTVs installed at all sensitive areas to avoid any untoward incidents,” he said. He suggested that the police could issue badges to the members of these mandals. Five volunteers from each mandal can also monitor security near the pandals along with the police.
Security will be very tight around the deities to be installed at the public pandals for the first nine days. In addition, officers and staff in plain clothes will also keep a check.
Additional platoons of the Indian Reserve Battalion, local sleuths of the intelligence bureau and traffic police will together man nakabandhis, he said and added that they have also started doing the routine hotel checks.
Police officers have been asked to keep an eye on mischief mongers. He said that mandal presidents would have to engage volunteers who will act like police and keep an eye on pandals and surrounding areas.
Senior police officials have been holding meetings with mandal presidents and office-bearers to garner their support for a peaceful celebration of the festival, said one police inspector from Salcete. He said that following the directions from the senior officer he has directed the concerned staff to make fool-proof arrangements for the smooth and peaceful conduct of Ganesh Chaturthi.
-Navhind Times, Goa Daily
4 Comments so far (Add 1 more)
One Trackback
The Importance Of Choosing A Good Home Inspector…
When buying a home, it is very important to have it inspected by a competent home inspector. A good home inspector can provide you with a lot of valuable information….