Hyderabad, September 20: With the centralised Ganesh idol immersion and the verdict of the Allahabad High Court in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri masjid row falling in quick succession, on September 22 and 24 respectively, the city police have geared up to face possible outbreak of trouble and have even asked the army to be on stand-by to meet any eventuality.
The police decided to act tough if anybody tried to create communal trouble, and also on any form of rumour mongering like sending SMSes which might foment trouble during the two crucial days.
“Apart from the 15,000 Hyderabad city police force which includes Home Guards and special police officers (SPOs), 10,000-odd policemen from across the state and four companies of Rapid Action Force (RAF) have also been roped in for bandobust. We have also asked the army to be on stand-by. The Octopus wing will also be roped in to meet any eventuality,” city police commissioner AK Khan told newsmen during a briefing on the bandobust arrangements for the two days. Earlier, he held a meeting with police officers.
All those officers, right from Inspector General of Police to Deputy Superintendents of Police who have earlier worked in the city, have also been asked to join the bandobust.
All the vehicles carrying Ganesh idols for immersion would be given separate identity stickers and monitored throughout the procession. Apart from the surveillance cameras, 600 video cameras would be recording the immersion process.
“We have already bound over 800 history-sheeters and communal offenders, including those involved in the March riots. We are giving them (communal offenders) an opportunity. If they do not indulge in any trouble, their communal sheets would be reviewed,” Khan said.
On the Ayodhya verdict, Khan said almost all the Hindu and Muslim parties and organisations have assured to abide by the verdict and take legal recourse if the judgment went against their community. “We are prepared for the verdict also and we would take strict action against communal elements who try to create trouble. The field officers have been asked to act tough on such elements and they need not wait for the senior officials’ permission to take a decision,” the CP said.
Khan said some provocative SMSes and letters are already doing the rounds and they have identified some people who sent them. “We have asked the service providers to keep a tab on bulk SMSes sent from a single number and verify the contents. If the message is objectionable, they have been told to stop their transmission and inform the police,” he said.
Khan also said some businessmen in the Old City received threat letters. “We are trying to trace out those who sent the letters,” he said.
Khan said dredging work was taken up on the banks of the Hussain Sagar to ensure that the idols immerse completely in the lake.
—Agencies