3,000 police personnel deployed for Ganesh festival bandobast

Hubballi: The Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissionerate made elaborate security arrangements for the 12-day Ganesh festival to ensure that celebrations are conducted peacefully, safely and harmoniously across the twin cities.To prevent any untoward incidents during the celebrations and processions, police personnel and officers at various levels have been prepared for bandobast duty.Additional police officers and personnel have also been brought in from different parts of the state.More than 3,000 personnel will be deployed for security, including 500 Home Guards, eight CAR platoons, 16 KSRP platoons and one company of the Rapid Action Force (RAF).Drones for surveillanceThe police will keep a close watch on important and sensitive areas using CCTV cameras installed by the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) as well as traffic police cameras.More than 30 drones will be deployed for aerial surveillance during the festival and Ganapati processions.The city police’s social media monitoring unit will function round-the-clock to track false information, rumours and objectionable content that could disturb public order or communal harmony.A special drive to remove vehicles that have been parked on public roads for long periods will begin from Sunday to ensure smooth movement of traffic and Ganesh processions.Police Commissioner Bhushan Borase appealed to the public to send photographs and location details of the vehicles, which have been parked on public roads for long periods, to the city police WhatsApp number 94808 02002 or through the police department’s social media accounts.Safety measuresPolice have advised Ganapati Mandals to take necessary precautions while installing electrical cables and decorative lighting.Every Ganesh pandal should have fire extinguishers, water and buckets of sand readily available. Police have also advised organisers to install CCTV cameras inside and around the pandals.DJ noiseThe police have announced strict measures to control noise pollution during the Ganesh festival. Organisers have been instructed to avoid installing excessive numbers of speakers and to operate sound systems within the prescribed limits.Bengaluru Police step up security for Ganesha processionsOwners of music systems and loudspeakers used at pandals and processions must strictly follow the regulations. The use of laser lights and excessively loud or potentially hazardous sound equipment has also been prohibited.Police personnel will use a mobile phone application to measure sound levels. The application has been calibrated by comparing its readings with the noise-measuring equipment used by the Pollution Control Board.Police Commissioner Bhushan Borase warned that in case of violations, both the DJ operator and the owner of the sound system will be held responsible.Bhushan Borase, Police Commissioner Hubballi-DharwadOwners of music systems and loudspeakers used at pandals and processions must strictly follow the regulations. Police personnel will use a mobile phone application to measure sound levels. In case of violations both the DJ operator and the owner of the sound system will be held responsible.

Source: Deccan Herald