Ganesh procession in Hyderabad progressing peacefully

HYDERABAD - The mammoth Ganesh procession was progressing smoothly through the city Wednesday amid unprecedented security, with the army on stand-by to tackle any emergency, officials said.

Thousands of idols from all parts of state capital Hyderabad and its outskirts headed towards Hussain Sagar Lake in the heart of the city. More than a million people are taking part in the festivities.

Afternoon prayers at the historic Mecca Masjid also passed off peacefully.

The main procession was stopped some distance away to allow smooth conduct of prayers at the mosque near the historic Charminar. The procession resumed through the communally sensitive area after the prayers.

Police Commissioner A.K. Khan was supervising the security arrangements in the area where communal clashes broke out in the past.

Home Minister P. Sabita Indra Reddy addressed the gathering from the welcome stage set up by Ganesh procession organisers at Charminar. She stressed the need to maintain peace and communal harmony.

State ministers D. Nagender, Mukesh Goud, Hyderabad Mayor Kartika Reddy, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president G. Kishan Reddy and others addressed the devotees.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah and the ministers earlier offered prayers to the Ganesh idol at Khairatabad — the tallest idol in the state which attracts a large number of devotees.

This year it is a 50-foot, five-headed idol with a 500-kg laddu in its palm.

Two people sustained minor injuries at Moazzamjahi Market when a huge idol fell on the road. A crane was arranged to remove the idol.

There was a festive mood in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad with slogan-shouting youth wearing saffron scarves marching towards the lake with the Ganesh idols for their immersion.

From a cycle to a long truck, the devotees used every mode of transport to carry the idols for immersion. More than 50 cranes have been installed at the lake for the immersion of big idols.

The main procession with huge idols in different sizes began from Balapur in the old city in the morning. It will reach the lake late in the evening after covering the distance of 20 km and passing through several communally-sensitive localities.

The procession began after the auction of the traditional ‘laddu’ at Balapur. Businessman A.G. Sridharbabu bought it for Rs.5.35 lakh. However, the auction was marred by controversy with woman devotee Sarita accusing the organisers of cheating her.

Sarita, who had bought the laddu for Rs.5.10 lakh last year, claimed that it was given to another man even though she had offered a price of Rs.5.50 lakh.

Unprecedented security arrangements have been made for the annual procession which is attended by over a million people. About 35,000 policemen and personnel of the paramilitary Rapid Action Force (RAF) have been deployed.

The police commissioner hoped that the procession would pass off peacefully with the cooperation of all sections of the people. He said tight vigil was being maintained at places of worship to prevent any untoward incident.

Khan said the army was being asked to stand by to meet any eventuality.

“If necessary, we will also use the state’s anti-terrorist force Octopus,” he said.

With the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court set to deliver its verdict in the Ayodhya title suit Sep 24, police have made additional security arrangements.