The police are armed with a 7-fold programme to ensure that only celebrations make the headlines this Ganesh festival. The men in uniform, through a 10-day road map, have been instructed to focus on six priorities identified to prevent any untoward incident during the festival. The festival begins on Aug 29.
Having learnt lessons from the problems they faced last year, police have polished their strategy and zeroed in on six areas which need special attention.
That they are determined to prevent crime was evident during the press conference addressed by joint commissioner of police (law and order) Dhananjay Kamlakar and joint commissioner of police (traffic) Dr BK Upadhyay, on Tuesday.
Tackling terror
Terror has been a prime concern for the police at all major festivals. So they are doing everything possible to ensure that no terror attacks take place.
The Anti Terror Cell (ATC) at police station-level has been asked to check for any suspicious movements in their jurisdiction. ATC will collect and verify details of SIM card registrations (terrorist are known to use fake SIM cards). Teams will inspect registration documents of rented houses in their jurisdiction to make sure that those living in the city have valid papers. Police will also ensure that all hotels and lodges comply with rules and regulations. A huge nakabandi drive would be initiated during the 10 days of the festival.
Anti-eve teasing squad
Women's safety is a primary concern. Women are known to face problems at big mandals. Police want to ensure that this does not happen.
Anti Eve Teasing squads will be deployed at all major mandals. Their only job will be to keep vigil against eve teasing. Police will take immediate action if any case is reported. "The squad will ensure that no woman faces any problem. Women's safety is our responsibility. We have taken all measures to prevent any untoward incident. We have already registered 25 cases in this connection," said Jt CP (L and O) Dhananjay Kamlakar.
Communal harmony
With assembly polls round the corner, police believe anti-social elements may create communal tension with the help of social media. The cyber crime wing is already on the job and is monitoring social media to check any anti-social posts being posted on websites.
Senior cops have held many meetings with members of Mohalla committees and sought their help to tackle communal problems if they crop up.
"All Mohalla committees have been told to appeal for calm during the festival. They have been told to approach police if any sensitive message or picture is posted on social networks. We have also asked the cyber cell to keep vigil," said Kamlakar.
Eye on chain snatchers
Some time before, commissioner Rakesh Maria had told his men to curb the rising menace of chain snatching. Cops will be on high alert against the menace this festival period as it's common for women to come out of their homes attired in festival finery.
Policemen deployed at mandals and on bandobast duty will be on the lookout for chain snatchers. Cops have already started issuing preventive notices to all known criminals. "We have served preventive notices to 1,283 people across Mumbai," said Kamlakar.
Crowd management
Cops have a tough time controlling crowds that throng various pandals seeking blessings of the god. Police will work in tandem with other authorities as well as the mandals to ensure proper crowd management.
Cops will ensure that crowd does not stay put at one place for too long. They will use barricades to divide the crowd in order to prevent large number of people assembling at one place.
Disaster management
Police claim to be well prepared to tackle any disaster. Those on duty will be the first to respond, with additional forces and other agencies following. The Mumbai police will work closely with the BMC in case any disaster is reported. They will also appeal to people not to believe on rumours and maintain calm at crowded places.
Dos and don'ts
Apart from the six measures, police will distribute pamphlets and put up hoardings to make people aware of the dos and don'ts during the festival. Police have also made a video advertisement explaining the precautions to be taken. It will be telecast on channels and local cable networks.
"I can assure citizens that the police are well prepared for the Ganesh festival and will do its best to ensure that it goes off smoothly." said Kamlakar. The police are also contemplating using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to monitor the crowd and have requested mandals to instal CCTV cameras near pandals.
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