This story is from August 27, 2014

Vadodara cops seek force boost of over 2k

The police have stepped up security measures in the city as the dates of campaign for the Lok Sabha by-election clash with the 10-day Ganesh festival that begins in Vadodara constituency on August 29.
Vadodara cops seek force boost of over 2k
VADODARA: The police have stepped up security measures in the city as the dates of campaign for the Lok Sabha by-election clash with the 10-day Ganesh festival that begins in Vadodara constituency on August 29.
The cops have sought additional security forces to guard the city during the 10-day festival that draws thousands of people on to the city roads.
Demand has been made for over 2,530 police personnel, who will be deployed in different parts of the city.
City police commissioner E Radhakrishnan said on Tuesday that they are taking additional measures to avoid any untoward incident during the festivities. "The campaign for bypoll will begin soon in Vadodara along with the Ganesh festival. We are making all efforts to ensure peaceful celebration of the festival in the city. The police have been talking to organizers of several Ganesh pandals and appealing to celebrate the festival with peace," Radhakrishnan said.
Apart from the 29 CCTVs installed in the city, 15 other CCTVs will be fitted on the immersion day. One IGP, four DCPs, 10 ACPs, 32 police inspectors, 115 police sub-inspectors and 1,825 head constables and police constables from the city will stand guard along with three DCPs, 13 ACPs, 30 police inspectors and 40 police sub-inspectors from outside.
The city has seen registration of 2,036 Ganesh pandals this year which will result in 656 idols being taken out by them for immersion in Sursagar Lake. Rest of the Ganesh idols will be immersed in Mahadev Lake, Tarsali Lake, Sama Lake, Gorwa Lake and Mahi River.
Radhakrishnan said the police will try to ensure that the Ganesh immersion processions end early on the last day of the festival. "The police will ensure that all Ganesh idols leave the pandals before 5 pm on the last day. The organizers have been asked to immerse the idols as early as possible. To avoid traffic jams, use of heavy vehicles like trailers won't be allowed for ferrying Ganesh idols," Radhakrishnan added.
Also, 165 people have been externed from the city and many history-sheeters detained under Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Act (PASA) ahead of the festive season.
BOX: Pandals not to display flags
With the code of conduct for the elections coming into effect, Ganesh pandals won't be able to display flags or campaign material of any political party. Also, the pandals won't be able to keep idols or photographs of any politician. District collector Avantika Singh said politicians can visit the Ganesh pandals and perform ?aarti'. "But they cannot use the platform to give any political speech or do poll campaign," Singh said.
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