Mumbai police tightens security for Ganesh festival

Mumbai police have beefed up security to keep a hawk-eyed vigil in city during 10- day Ganesh Chaturthi festival, which began on Saturday amid COVID-19 pandemic, an official said.

In view of virus outbreak, festival is being celebrated in a subdued manner this year to curb spread of infection, official said.

Besides, Muharram is also being observed in a simple manner as government has t allowed processions in wake of COVID-19 crisis, he added.

"Apart from local police, a company of Rapid Action Force (RAF), three companies of State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), local arms and riot control police have been deployed in city," official said.

Quick response teams, bomb disposal squads and anti- terrorism cells have also been put on alert to prevent any untoward incident, he said.

According to him, local police stations will provide security cover to Ganesh pandals in ir areas, while an additional deployment of 30 police personnel will be present at city's famous Lalbaugcha Raja Ganesh pandal.

"Moreover, police will monitor happenings in city with help of 5,000 CCTV cameras and also use drones for aerial surveillance," he said, adding that personnel in plain clos have been manning markets as well.

police have urged citizens t to gar on roads during festivities and pandals have been asked to cut down ise pollution, official said.

Apart from instructions to follow social distancing rms, people have also been asked to wear masks and sanitise pandals as a precautionary measure, he added.

Im credits: PTI