Prior to the start of processions for immersion of Ganesh idols here, a flag march was conducted in sensitive areas here on Thursday.
Although the police usually conduct such marches on foot, this year vehicles were used. Police Commissioner B.A. Padmanayan and other senior officials led the march in their vehicles from the CAR (City Armed Reserve) Police Grounds here.
Scores of police personnel took part in the flag march, which passed through sensitive areas of the city. The flag march covered Chennapet, Old Hubli, New English School, P.B. Road, Dakappa Chowk, Mulla Oni, Durgada Bail, Shah Bazaar, Javali Sal, Dajibanpet and Kittur Chennamma Circle before ending at CAR Grounds. It has become a practice in recent years for the police to conduct flag marches on the eve of the idol immersion.
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As a precautionary measure, the Hubli-Dharwad Police Commissionerate has already deployed additional police personnel in sensitive areas, apart from installing CCTV cameras at strategic points and at some of the Ganesh pandals. In addition, strike forces have been deployed at strategic points, and security has been tightened at places of worship belonging to various communities in the city.
Later in the evening, Mr. Padmanayan and Hubli-Dharwad Mayor Pandurang Patil took part at the inauguration of the procession for idols installed at Ganesh pandals in Old Hubli. Eight eminent personalities from different walks of life were felicitated on the occasion.
After the formal inauguration, the immersion procession took some time to start as Ganesh mandals shifted idols onto decorated vehicles. The procession will conclude on Friday morning.
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While idols installed at Old Hubli are immersed on the ninth day of festivities, those installed in other areas are immersed on the 11th day. The 11-day Ganeshotsava in Hubli will conclude on Saturday.