With the majority of Ganesha idols to be immersed in the city on September 7, the first phase of the immersion processions went largely without incident on Sunday.
A senior officer of the Chennai city police said, of a total of 2,092 idols to be immersed in the sea, 325 idols were immersed on Sunday at five designated places including Neelankarai, Foreshore Estate, Tiruvottiyur, Fishing Harbour in Royapuram, and Ramakrishna Nagar in Ennore.
The official said the immersions had been planned for September 5, 6, and 7. He said that while no untoward incidents were reported on Sunday, the police would ensure maximum security on September 7, and planned to post 15,000 personnel.
In Royapuram, on Sunday, mild tension prevailed when members of Shiv Sena raised slogans after a volunteer was hit by a police officer for raising questions about stones being thrown in the procession. Venugopal, president, North Chennai district of Shiv Sena, said except for the minor incident, idols were immersed peacefully in Royapuram.