Police pickets posted in 546 sensitive areas

HYDERABAD: Asserting the Ganesh immersion event will be covered by more than 1,000 video cameras and other gadgets like wireless surveillance cameras for real-time monitoring, city police commissioner AK Khan said at least 25,000 policemen would be deployed for the final procession and immersion of Ganesh idols on September 9. Speaking to mediamen on Saturday, Khan said a total of 15,000 officers, including 6,000 Home Guards of city police will be on bandobust duty at pandals, mosques, important junctions, immersion points and other places to prevent untoward incidents. Apart from city police, about 10,300 officers and 2,600 Home Guards from across the state have been deployed as part of the security arrangements. “The police force and officers deployed have been chosen on the basis of their previous experience of Ganesh bandobust and knowledge of sensitive areas,” Khan said.“Ganesh idols from neighbouring districts and Cyberabad Commissionerate limits are also brought for immersion to different tanks in the city. About 12,000 idols will be immersed in Hussainsagar during this period and 10 to 12 lakh people expected to take part in the final procession,’’ he added. The commissioner said 274 hyper-sensitive and 546 sensitive places have been identified for which pickets have been posted. 383 mobile parties will be moving in these areas for smooth conduct of the Ganesh festival, police said.In addition, 40 officers of superintendent of police rank and above have been deployed to supervise arrangements. All units of city police, including Law and Order, Traffic, Special Branch, Task Force, City Security Wing, City Armed Reserve have been pressed into service. In addition, three RAF teams and 31 CPMF are also being deployed. The City Security Wing of Hyderabad police will also deploy 35 bomb disposal teams and 40 Access Control Teams at important pandals and temples.  The Anti-Sabotage teams will be using the services of 30 sniffer dogs. Police will also take the help of 80 special police officers during anti-sabotage checks. Anti-sabotage measures like vehicle-checking and frisking at entry points and at important junctions and crowded places like railway stations, bus stations, shopping malls, cinema halls and hotels are being undertaken.