Ganesh immersion procession flagged off amid tight security

Pune, Sep 14 (UNI) The immersion of Ganesh idols was flagged off, amid tight security, after city Mayor Rajlaxmi Bhosale, offered puja to the first ''manacha'' (honoured) Kasba Ganpati on the occasion of ''Anant Chaturthi'' here today.

The puja took place at 1030 hrs in the morning, near the historic Tilak statue at Mandai.

The Kasba Ganpati was immersed at 1520 hrs, followed by Tamadi Jogeshawari, Guruji Talim, Tulashibaug and Kesari Wada Ganpatis at the major immersion point ''Lakadi Pull'' at Alka Chowk.

Around 7,000 police and security agency personnel have been deployed for overseeing the immersion.

City Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh was himself monitoring the situation. Various roads including Laxmi, Kumthekar and Tilak road have been closed for traffic.

Pune's Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar, who also participated in the immersion procession, told reporters that the procession will be conducted peacefully and end on time. ''There is no need to panic as city police have made adequate security arrangements to tackle any eventuality,'' he added.

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