Mangaluru Police issue guidelines for Ganesha Chaturthi, Eid Milad celebrations
Mangaluru: As the city prepares for the upcoming Ganesha Chaturthi and Eid Milad festivals, Mangaluru Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal has urged residents to celebrate the events peacefully and in strict adherence to the issued guidelines. Ganesha Chaturthi will be celebrated from September 6 to 17, with idols being installed at 165 locations within the Mangaluru police commissionerate limits. Eid Milad will be observed on September 15 and 16.
The celebrations will involve processions across areas classified as hypersensitive, sensitive, and normal, with 22 hypersensitive zones, 64 sensitive zones, and 79 normal zones identified within the city.
A peace meeting was convened on Monday, during which Commissioner Agrawal emphasized that organizers must obtain necessary permissions from various authorities, including Mescom, fire and emergency services, local bodies, and landowners where the idols are to be installed.
Organizers have been instructed to construct pandals with precautions against wind, rain, and fire hazards. Fire-fighting equipment such as sand, water buckets, and fire extinguishers must be readily available. The commissioner also advised against placing inflammable materials near lamps inside the Ganesha mantapas.
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Organizers are required to provide local police with details of the main guests, including their contact information. Permissions from local bodies are mandatory for displaying flexes and banners, which must not contain any provocative content. Furthermore, all tableaux and dance performances should be conducted in a manner that respects all religious sentiments.
The use of firecrackers has been prohibited near hospitals and densely populated areas after 10 PM.
For idol immersion processions, permission from the police is required, and organizers must follow designated routes. The police have directed that no provocative slogans be used during the processions, and that vehicles used for tableaux must have valid fitness certificates and insurance. Volunteers participating in the processions are to wear matching uniforms and ensure that no vehicles are parked along the procession routes. Additionally, permission is required for the use of sound systems, which must adhere to the prescribed time limits. The use of DJs has been strictly prohibited.
Commissioner Agrawal stated that these measures are essential to ensure a harmonious celebration, and religious leaders have been briefed on the guidelines to promote communal harmony.
In the Dakshina Kannada district, Ganesha idols will be installed at 221 locations, with eight sites in hypersensitive areas, 53 in sensitive areas, and 160 in normal areas.
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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
