VELLORE / TIRUVANNAMALAI: Over 2,000 idols of Lord Vinayakar were taken out on a procession and immersed in water bodies in Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts on Sunday.
The procession, amid tight security arrangements, passed off peacefully in the two districts. Around 4,000 policemen, along with around 2,000 volunteers, were engaged in security arrangements in the two districts.
In Vellore, the procession of around 60 colourful idols began at 11 am from Anjanayar Temple opposite the Vellore collectorate. It The rally passed through Kagithapattarai, Saidapet, Filterbed Road and Konavattam to reach Sathupperi around 7 pm. The police stationed Vajiram riot control vehicles and ambulances in sensitive areas such as Konavattam and Saidapet, where mosques are located.
There was tension near Saidapet when the police forced the members of a Hindu outfit and devotees to pass through the mosque area quickly, but the situation was under control.
In Vellore, the police engaged extra force in sensitive areas like Vaniyambadi, Arcot and Ambur areas, where a thick population of Muslim community lives and mosques are located. “A total of 3,000 policemen were deployed in the district,” said a police official.
The personnel from the Fire and Rescue Services and the TANGEDCO and Pollution Control Board were also roped in. A crane and an ambulance were also stationed in all identified sites in Arakkonam, Sholinghur, Vaniyambadi, Walajapet and other parts of district.
In Tiruvannamalai, around 1,000 idols were taken out on a procession for immersion in water bodies on Sunday. A total of 800 police personnel, along with the volunteers, were engaged for maintaining peace.
“We have deployed additional forces in Eraiyur and Tiruvannamalai town, considered as sensitive areas,” a police official said.