Chhat Puja gets underway in Mumbai

Mumbai, Nov 4 (UNI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil inspected security arrangements by city police for the Chhat Puja, that began at various beaches in the metropolis this evening.

Mr Patil, along with top police officials, visited the Girgaum Chopatty in south Mumbai and also went to Juhu beach late afternoon.

Minority commission chairman Naseem Siddiqui, Congress state spokesperson Sanjay Nirupam and Mumbai Regional Congress Committee president Kripa Shankar Singh were also present on the occasion.

City police have made elaborate security arrangements with five CCTV cameras installed in areas near Juhu beach, where around two lakh people have thronged since morning to offer prayers to the Sun god.

Along with the regular police force, the State Reserve Police (SRP) and Rapid Action Force(RAF) have also been deployed to manage the law and order situation. At least five CCTV cameras have been installed in the Juhu beach area, including S V Road, V M Road junction, Mithibai College, opposite Tulip star hotel and Palm Grove hotel on Juhu Tara Road opposite Juhu Chowki, to monitor activities of people.

A central control room has been set up at the police chowki on Juhu beach and four public address system also erected.

In wake of the recent anti-north Indian tirade carried out by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), police had asked the organisers of the festival to stick to religious events and avoid entertainment or political programmes.

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