Vinayaka idol processions scheduled for September 18 at Muthupettai would pass through the same route as last year with additional police protection, said Collector M. Chandrasekaran, at Muthupettai on Thursday.
Speaking at a meeting of representatives of various organisations connected with the Vinayaka Chathurthi processions, Jamat leaders and people of the town, Mr. Chandrasekaran said the route is from Jambuvanodai via Azad Nagar, old bus stand, new mosque, A. N. Bungalow and Sembadavankadu railway gate to the river Baminiyar where the idols would be immersed. The Collector said idols from various places should be taken in procession exactly at 2 p.m. and come to the old bus stand before 4 p.m. From there, they should be taken to the Baminiyar for immersion. Organisers of processions should follow the route and adhere to the instructions given by the police.
R. Thirugnanam, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Thanjavur Range, said during his incumbency as the Superintendent of Police, Ramanathapuram , he saw HIndus and Muslims celebrating VInayaka Chathurthi harmoniously. At Erwadi Dargah, Muslims used to welcome Vianyaka Chathurthi processions.
P.Moorthy, Superintendent of Police, said 3,000 police personnel would be deployed at Muthupettai . Six superintendents of police and 10 deputy superintendents of police would be on duty. A 12-member committee formed for each idol should take the responsibility of conducting the procession peacefully. Crackers should be burst only at prescribed places. Jamat heads should be in the mosques on that day till the procession is completed. Surveillance cameras would be installed at many places in the town and movement of the people and procession would be watched. No construction works should take place along the procession route on that day and materials like bricks and iron rods should be removed along the route.
M. Kalyanasundaram, Chairman of Muthupettai Panchayat Union, Saravanan, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Muthupettai, V. Ramachandran, Divisional Engineer, Highways, Nehru, Executive Engineer, PWD, Selvaraj, Revenue Divisional Officer, Mannargudi, Sahaya Mary Reeta, Deputy Director of Health, Rajendran of Hindu Munnani and Abdul Ajees and Basheer Ahmed from local Jamat participated .
