Ganeshotsav 2011: 2 lakh cops deployed for trouble-free immersions

In the wake of intelligence inputs and alerts from central agencies, the state home department deployed more than two lakh policemen and officers across Maharashtra for the final immersion day on Sunday.

State home minister RR Patil, on Monday, said the bandobast for Anant Chaturdashi was even more than that given for general elections in the state.

In addition to the nearly two lakh police personnel and officers in the state, 12 companies - 110 personnel in each company - of the central forces were deployed on Sunday.

Patil also congratulating the police for “successfully handling the bandobast during the festival”, which he described as a tough job.

According to the home department, 5,48,515 domestic Ganpati idols and 44,578 sarvajanik Ganesha idols were immersed  on Sunday in the state — the highest number from Mumbai and Pune.

“There had been numerous alerts from central and state agencies during Eid and Ganesh festival. Though there were no specific alerts, all the calls were attended to,” Patil said.

The home minister said that the NGOs played a major role in aiding the police.

“NGOs such as the Anirudh Academy of Disaster Management and schoolchildren from the state road patrol played a significant role in maintaining law and order during immersion processions,” he said.