Mumbai:
The Mumbai Police have launched a campaign to create alertness amongst devotees during the Ganpati Festival.
The campaign titled "Mumbai Ke Liye Ek Minute" asks members of the public to take a minute to survey their surroundings and report anything suspicious to the police.
A special helpline 022-22633333 has been set up for the purpose. With Mumbai being a target for terror, the police are appealing to the crores of Mumbaikars to be their eyes and years to ensure that the festival passes of peacefully.
Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place by the Mumbai Police for the ten day festival that starts on Monday. Leaves of all policemen have been cancelled except medical leaves.
Sadanand Date, Joint Commissioner of Police told NDTV, "25000 policemen will be on duty. 18 companies of the State Reserve Police Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Rapid Action Force and Border Security Force have been deployed."
"Anti-Sabotage and security training have been given to volunteers of various mandals and teams of the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads will be present at all sensitive spots," he added.
But the focus this time is also on crimes against women during the festival. Speaking on the issue, Mr Date said, "We have specifically asked Ganpati Mandals to prevent eve-teasing. CCTV monitoring and plain-clothes policemen will watch out for offenders and the police response will be prompt and professional."
Earlier in the day, the Commissioner of Police told a gathering of Ganpati organisers, "If incidents of eve-teasing take place inside any pandal, it will go against the organisers and we will reconsider permissions to them next year." The comment drew criticism with many saying the police were abdicating their responsibility.
Nitin Sawant, Deputy Chairperson, Ganesh Gully Ganesh Mandal says, "We are taking the best possible measures but the police should not shirk their responsibility and pass the buck onto us."
At the same gathering, actor Shilpa Shetty kicked up a storm by saying, "What all will policemen check? Women should be strong and carry knives to protect themselves."
There are around 6000 public Ganpatis and more than one lakh household Ganpatis in Mumbai. However with the city being on the radar of terrorists the police are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the festival passes off without any untoward incident.
The campaign titled "Mumbai Ke Liye Ek Minute" asks members of the public to take a minute to survey their surroundings and report anything suspicious to the police.
A special helpline 022-22633333 has been set up for the purpose. With Mumbai being a target for terror, the police are appealing to the crores of Mumbaikars to be their eyes and years to ensure that the festival passes of peacefully.
Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place by the Mumbai Police for the ten day festival that starts on Monday. Leaves of all policemen have been cancelled except medical leaves.
Sadanand Date, Joint Commissioner of Police told NDTV, "25000 policemen will be on duty. 18 companies of the State Reserve Police Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Rapid Action Force and Border Security Force have been deployed."
"Anti-Sabotage and security training have been given to volunteers of various mandals and teams of the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads will be present at all sensitive spots," he added.
But the focus this time is also on crimes against women during the festival. Speaking on the issue, Mr Date said, "We have specifically asked Ganpati Mandals to prevent eve-teasing. CCTV monitoring and plain-clothes policemen will watch out for offenders and the police response will be prompt and professional."
Earlier in the day, the Commissioner of Police told a gathering of Ganpati organisers, "If incidents of eve-teasing take place inside any pandal, it will go against the organisers and we will reconsider permissions to them next year." The comment drew criticism with many saying the police were abdicating their responsibility.
Nitin Sawant, Deputy Chairperson, Ganesh Gully Ganesh Mandal says, "We are taking the best possible measures but the police should not shirk their responsibility and pass the buck onto us."
At the same gathering, actor Shilpa Shetty kicked up a storm by saying, "What all will policemen check? Women should be strong and carry knives to protect themselves."
There are around 6000 public Ganpatis and more than one lakh household Ganpatis in Mumbai. However with the city being on the radar of terrorists the police are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the festival passes off without any untoward incident.
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