Ganpati and Ramzan put city on alert

For the first time in many years, the holy month of Ramzan and the 11-day Ganesh festival will coincide. The month of Ramzan will begin either on Friday or Saturday depending upon when the moon is sighted. Ganpati festival will begin on Saturday. “We have kept this overlap in mind, and will deploy the security accordingly this year,” said a senior police officer.

With the intelligence agencies regularly warning of possible terror strikes in the city, the police has considerable work ahead of itself.

To maintain law and order during this time, the entire Mumbai police force will be on-duty during the Ganesh festival. Police will patrol the streets round-the-clock.

The sarvajanik Ganesh mandals have been asked to spare 10 volunteers to assist the police. Police personnel in plain clothes will also be posted at each mandal.

“The mandals have been asked to interact with police stations regularly. A list of dos and don’ts in an emergency has been provided to all mandals,” said the senior officer. Private security agencies have agreed to supply security guards free-of-cost. The police are expected to ask for about 4,000 private security from the association.