While facing a challenge to ensure smooth traffic and proper deployment of safety personnel on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi and Muharram in the city, the Mumbai police have deployed more than 50,000 officers from the Local Arm Police, SRPF(State Reserved Police Force), Riot Control Police, Quick Response Team (QRT), Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad, Mumbai Traffic Police, Zonal Police Officers, Home Guards and Zonal Police Officers for security arrangements.
While briefing the media on its updated security arrangements for both the festivals, Deputy Commissioner of Police, (Operations), Manjunath Shinge said, "This year Ganeshotsav is being celebrated from September 13 to 23 and Muharram from September 12 to 21. The primary responsibility of the Mumbai police is to maintain Law and Order of the city and adopt all possible safety measures so that nothing goes for a toss till the time both the festivals ends. For safety measures, more than 5,000 CCTV cameras have been installed in the city and all major checkpoints for 24X7 surveillance. Special focus has been given to women and children and help centres will be established at various points. Also, emergency medical help centres have been set up to provide first aid, and civil facilities will also be available as a backup in case of an emergency."
"We are advising people not to enter deep waters during the time of immersion and to avoid incidents of drowning and others as such good swimmers, coast guards, boats and launches shall be provided by the local police. The Navy is also providing necessary assistance in this regards. Since both the festivals are falling around the same time, its a huge challenge for us. However, there's no reason to worry; we are equipped to tackle the situation. The commissioner of police is personally taking a close look at the situation. We are tightening surveillance so that there are no loopholes," said Shinge.
According to the Mumbai police, the security arrangements for Lalbaugcha Raja and other big Ganesha mandals is a sensitive task. This year and the police have requested all mandals to cooperate with the police.
SECURITY PERSONNEL DEPLOYED FROM DIFFERENT TEAMS AND AGENCIES:
- Local Arm Police
- SRPF(State Reserved Police Force)
- Riot Control Police,
- Home Guards
- Quick Response Team (QRT),
- Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS),
- Mumbai Traffic Police
- Zonal Police Officers
- Zonal Police Officers
- RAF Company
- Anti- Terrorist Cell from local police station
