Security to be beefed up in Maharashtra for Ganesh Festival

Ahmednagar, Aug 21 (UNI) In view of the recent terror strikes at Bangalore and Ahmedabad, tight and elaborate security arrangements have been planned in Maharashtra for the upcoming Ganesh Festival.

Speaking to mediapersons after visiting the Shirdi Sai Baba temple today, Maharashtra minister of state for home Siddharam Mhetre said security was being beefed up in Mumbai, Pune and Nashik, where the festival is celebrated on a large scale.

He said security at Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai and Shirdi Sai Baba shrine here will be further scaled up following intelligence inputs about terror threats to these places.

The state home ministry will soon hold a meeting with trustees of all important temples across the state about the security measures for the festival period.

Mr Mhetre said at least 14,000 more police personnel will be recruited, starting August 27, before the Ganesh Utsav starts.

Meanwhile, speaking about the modernization of police force in the state, he said ''The Union government has been providing huge sums of money for this purpose. however, for further upgradation of the force and also facilities in the prisons we need more funds.'' He said in order to reduce pressure on the prisons in Mumbai and Nashik, new prisons are being developed in Latur, Hingoli and Taloja near Navi Mumbai.

UNI XR RN OBB RL AS1636