Hyderabad:Around 88,000 Ganesh idols of the 1.24 lakhs registered on Telangana’s Ganesha portal have been immersed across the state by Friday morning, while the remaining immersions were expected to be completed by Saturday morning, DGP C.V. Anand said.
Addressing the media at the DGP office on Friday evening, Anand said the number of idols registered this year increased from 1.15 lakhs last year. He said the total number of idols, including those installed in apartments, homes and other private premises, across the state could be around 3.5 lakh to four lakh.
Anand said Ganesh immersions were being conducted peacefully across Telangana with police maintaining heightened security. In Hyderabad, more than 25,000 police personnel had been deployed over the past 10 days for the immersion arrangements.
He said processions in Hyderabad began somewhat late on Friday afternoon in view of religious considerations, resulting in delays in some areas. The large number of idols being brought for immersion in several parts of the city was also contributing to the delay.
Additional forces, including Telangana State Special Police, RAF, NDRF and OCTOPUS, were deployed. Five companies from the DGP Reserve were also kept available. CCTV cameras were installed at major immersion points, while command control centres monitored the situation. Cranes and emergency services were also deployed.
Anand said 13 people died and 26 others were injured in various incidents during the 10-day festivities. Among those who died was Kothagudem SI Venkanna, who had come to Hyderabad for immersion duty. Six people died at Patancheru in Cyberabad, while one person died at Khairatabad early Friday and another reportedly died of a heart attack in Nirmal. The DGP said 17 people were injured in Malkajgiri and urged people to reduce noise pollution and follow safety regulations.
He said authorities were working to complete the remaining immersions in Hyderabad by 10.30 am on Saturday. He appealed to organisers to move idols without delay and cooperate with police to reduce traffic congestion and ensure everyone returned home safely.
Anand said the peaceful conduct of the celebrations reflected Telangana’s unity and brotherhood. He also highlighted participation by members of the Muslim community in Ganesha celebrations in Bhainsa as an example of communal harmony.
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