Over 3,500 police personnel deployed in Vellore, nearby districts for idol immersion as part of Vinayaka Chaturthi celebrations
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A procession being carried out as part of Vinayaka Chaturthi celebrations within Vellore Corporation limits. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
More than 3,500 police personnel, including from the Armed Reserve wing of the district police have been deployed in Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Tirupattur, and Ranipet districts as part of security arrangements for the peaceful conduct of idol immersions as part of Vinayaka Chaturthi celebrations.
Revenue officials said that each district was divided into sectors with each sector consisting of a few key towns such as Tiruvannamalai, Chengam, and Eriyur in Tiruvannamalai district. Tirupattur district was divided into Vaniyambadi, Tirupattur, and Ambur sectors.
Idol procession will be allowed for each sector only on the specified day and route. “Surveillance by CCTV cameras, body worn cameras and drones have also been roped to prevent any untoward incidents during the procession,” N.U. Sivaraman, SP, Vellore, told The Hindu.
On Wednesday, more than 400 idols in Vellore Corporation were allowed to be immersed in Saduperi lake, which is maintained by the civic body. Around 500 police personnel were deployed for the purpose. Other key towns such as Gudiyatham, Pernambut in Vellore, Arakkonam and Sholighur in Ranipet, and Jolarpet and Ambur in Tirupattur district will be allowed for the procession in the coming days.
At present, 480 police personnel in these districts have body worn cameras, especially to monitor traffic violations. These personnel were also roped in. In addition, 580 CCTV cameras and 20 drones that are maintained by the police in these districts will be used for surveillance. Currently, each idol on display in public places has round-the-clock surveillance by at least two constables on duty.
As these districts, especially Vellore, Ranipet, and Tirupattur have Muslim-dominated areas, idol procession has been scheduled in non-sensitive routes in towns like Ambur, Vaniyambadi, Walajah, Arcot and Vellore’s Old Town, police said.
Among these districts, Tiruvannamalai has the largest number of idols (1,800) installed in public places, followed by Tirupattur (760), Vellore (660), and Ranipet (600). A total of 29 lakes and the Palar River were earmarked in these districts for idol immersion.
Several Hindu organisations and individuals had installed Vinayagar idols in different parts of these districts. After obtaining permission from the police, the idols will be immersed in water bodies earmarked for these sectors over the weekend. Cranes, lifeguards, and medical teams were also kept on standby at the immersion spots.
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