Ganesh immersion procession held amid tight security in Hyderabad’s old city

The Ganesh idol immersion procession in Hyderabad’s old city was held on Friday amid elaborate security arrangements. The Balapur Ganesh crossed Charminar shortly after the procession began, while police regulated crowds and idol movement across several localities.

Hyderabad: The Ganesh idol immersion procession in the old city was taken out in a grand manner on Friday amidst elaborate security arrangements.

Rapid Action Force (RAF), Commissioner’s Task Force, City Armed Reserve (CAR) and local police personnel were deployed at strategic locations, particularly around Charminar and the Mecca Masjid.

The main procession in the old city started at around 2.30 p.m., with the Balapur Ganesh crossing Charminar at about 2.40 p.m. However, the procession gained pace only around 4.30 p.m., by which time crowds had begun gathering along the procession route.

Several Ganesh idols remained held up in localities including Chatrinaka, Aliabad, Uppuguda and Gowlipura till around 8 p.m. Police personnel continued to regulate the movement of the idols and crowds to ensure a smooth procession.

Senior police officials monitored the procession from the field as well as from the Integrated Command and Control Centre at Banjara Hills. Drones were also deployed for aerial surveillance and to monitor the movement of crowds and the procession route.