With Vinayaka Chaturthi and Id-ul-Fitr unexpectedly coinciding on Saturday, the city police have taken a series of measures to prevent any untoward incidents. Though the city has no track record of any serious communal disturbance, the police are not taking any chances.
Deputy Commissioner of Police M. Ravindranath Babu told The Hindu that police pickets had already been set up at some of the sensitive places and these would be augmented by posting extra personnel on Saturday.
“We have instructed all the officers and other staff to ensure law and order by monitoring the situation closely in One Town and Two Town areas on Saturday,” he said.
Mr. Ravindranath Babu said traffic restrictions would be imposed in some of the areas like Chittinagar, where special mass prayers would be offered on the occasion of Id-ul-Fitr. Even as the police have geared up for the two festivals, a large number of people on Friday spent the day preparing to celebrate the festivals.
Holiday mood
Though the government changed the public holiday it announced on account of Id-ul-Fitr to restricted holiday, a holiday mood prevailed in government offices and other institutions.
Besant Road, Kaleswara Rao Market, Patamata and several other areas witnessed a rush of people for buying the idols of Ganesha and pooja material. While the sellers of idols of bigger size at Kanuru on Bandar Road appeared crestfallen with many idols remaining unsold, vendors of smaller ones meant for worshipping in homes did a brisk business at the makeshift markets that came up at various places in the city.
With the voluntary organisations and the media sensitising the people about the need to use eco-friendly idols made of clay, these idols were in good demand too.
