18,000 cops to guard Ganesh Chaturthi procession

Chennai, Sep 2: A total of 18,000 police personnel will be deployed and technology like webcasting is being used for better management of law and order situation during the Ganesh Chaturthi idol immersion processions, a top police official said on Tuesday.

"18,000 police personnel will be deployed on September 6 and 7 for the Ganesh idols immersion processions in the city," Police Commissioner, Chennai, S George told reporters here adding immersion is allowed at five designated places.

Sensitive areas have been identified and these include Washermenpet, Pulianthope, Triplicane, Selaiyur and Tambaram and steps have been taken to ensure incident free Ganesha processions, he added.

By using technology like webcasting, top police officials are monitoring the law and order situation on the field and giving need-based instructions, he added.

This will be continued during the Chaturthi processions as well. Soon, cameras will be fitted in 200 patrol vehicles in accordance with an announcement of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, he said.

PTI