Date:28/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/28/stories/2008082858870300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada

Follow guidelines, Ganesh pandal organisers told

Staff Reporter

VIJAYAWADA: Police Commissioner K.V. Rajendranath Reddy on Wednesday advised organisers of Vinayaka pandals to take certain precautions during Vijanayaka Chaviti festival and processions to avoid inconvenience to the public.

He said prior permission from the police was a must to erect a pandal and permission would not be given to arrange pandals at controversial places and locations where the traffic congestions could take place frequently.

Temporary permission from the Discom to use electricity was a must for the organisers.

The organisers must arrange round-the-clock security at the pandals on their own and they should not resort to forcible collection of contributions from the public.

People could lodge complaints in the police control room by dialling 100 in the event of forcible collection of contributions.

Use of loud speakers in the pandals was prohibited. The organisers must inform the police if they a found any suspicious substance on the pandal premises.

During the procession before immersing the idols, sprinkling of gulal on the public, bursting of crackers and raising slogans against any religion would not be allowed. Vehicles should not be parked in the surroundings of the pandal and the ‘puja’ material should be thoroughly checked before being used.