Tight security for Ganesh Chathurthi in Chennai

Chennai, Sep 11 (UNI) More than 7,000 police personnel will be deployed on duty in the city during the coming Ganesh Chathurthi festival and for the subsequent immersion processions on September 23.

Chennai City Police Commissioner Nanjil Kumaran told reporters here today that police have intensified security arrangements for the festival on September 15 and for the procession to be taken out by various organisations on September 23 for immersing the idols in the sea.

Various Hindu organisations like Shiv Sena, Hindu Munnani and Hindu Makkal Katchi and other outfits like Chennai Traders Association would be taking out the processions.

Security would be beefed up in temples and at places where Vinayaga idols would be installed. The police have held meetings with the respective organising committees to finalise the arrangements for the smooth conduct of the event.

''Thirty routes have been earmarked for the idol processions and adequate bandobust would be provided for it,'' he added.

Hindu organisations have been asked to immerse the idols in the sea at Foreshore Estate Srinivasapuram, Kasimedu Harbour, Thiruvottiyur, Neelankarai, Palkalai Nagar and Ennore Ramakrishna Nagar.

Permission had been granted to the organising committee of various outfits to install idols in 1,086 specific places in the city. Idols being taken on a procession should not exceed ten feet in height and should not be made of chemical dyes.

The organisers were asked to use either thin sheets or asbestos to cover the idols. He said two or three volunteers would be deployed near the idol round-the-clock as part of the security arrangement.

UNI