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Tight security for Ganesh, Ramzan festivals

HYDERABAD: The State capital will be put under a heavy security blanket with the deployment of over 26,000 police personnel for the Ganesh and Ramzan festivals in the backdrop of threats from terrorists and Maoists.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Hyderabad Police Commissioner B. Prasada Rao said 42 Bomb Disposal and Access Control teams equipped with Door Frame and Hand Held Metal Detectors, Deep Search Mine Detectors and Explosive Vapour Detectors would ensure tight security.

Anti-Sabotage teams would deploy 33 sniffer dogs too. Special security strategy has also been worked out for the final procession and immersion of nearly 13,000 idols on September 14 in Hussainsagar. Thirty-five static cranes would be used for immersion of idols.

The organisers were advised to post at least six to 10 volunteers, trained on security points, at each Ganesh ‘pandal’.

As the holy Ramzan month of fasting began on Tuesday, adequate security was being arranged for the next one month. Police pickets would be posted at sensitive and hyper-sensitive places.

Over 800 persons with criminal record were being bound over while 239 mobile parties would patrol the city everyday.

Shops were permitted to keep open beyond midnight during the month-long Ramzan festival.

‘Meri Jaan Hyderabad’ – a short documentary film sensitising people on security — will be screened in theatres and Voice against Violence — recorded security messages — would be aired through public address systems at crowded places.

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