The police have an unenviable task waiting for them this month-end - they have to ensure the smooth progression of the Ganesh immersion procession on Sept. 29 and the very next day ie, on Sept 30, block the march of an army of determined Telangana activists into the city. And with these two events falling just ahead of the start of the prestigious international event, CoP-11, the cops have their hands full and their image at stake.
“There is a possibility that the March would turn violent,” a senior officer said reminding last year’s Million March. As the protestors are likely to target government and private establishments, the police are identifying the vulnerable targets, the officer said. “What we want to ensure is that a large number of protestors do not enter the city. The district police would be asked to check mass transportation of Telangana supporters.”
Preventive arrests would be made in all districts. Activists would be picked up well before the march. Borders would be sealed and check-posts would be set up on the fringes of the city.
But what is worrying the police bosses is that Ganesh idols from the neighbouring districts will be brought to the city for immersion and protestors may take advantage of this. “During the Million March, the protestors hired a marriage hall near Tank Bund and took us by surprise,” an officer said.
Intelligence agencies indicated about trouble also from anti-social elements.
Additional forces to be deployed for the Ganesh procession would be used to prevent the March. However, the officers are concerned about the fatigue factor. “After sweating out on Sept. 29 they would be very tired,” the officer observed. Any violence during the march would bring insecurity feeling to the participants of the COP-11, the cops admit.