Thaindian News

Mumbai, Sep 7 (IANS) Security was tightened in Mumbai and other cities in Maharashtra Wednesday after a blast in Delhi killed 11 and injured 76, even as officials grappled with the challenge to ensure an incident-free Ganpati immersion Sunday.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan presided over a high-level security review meeting for the entire state in view of the bomb blast in New Delhi and the upcoming Ganesh immersion here Sep 11.

“I appeal to all people to remain alert and co-operate with the police and security officials to avert any such incidents. People should avoid carrying bags or packages while going for Ganesh darshan or immersions,” Chavan said after the meeting.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Home Minister R.R. Patil, Anti-Terrorist Squad chief Rakesh Maria, State Intelligence Department chief K.L. Prasad and other top officials attended the meeting.

Besides, Mumbai Police Commissioner Arup Patnaik also rushed to the Bombay High Court campus in south Mumbai, barely a kilometre from the Taj Mahal Hotel and reviewed the security arrangements there.

“We have tightened security at all important locations, put up road blocks, random checks of vehicles and other security measures,” Patnaik told media persons.

This year, the final day falls on a Sunday and huge crowds are expected on the roads, at seashores, river sides, lakes, ponds and other water bodies where immersion ceremonies of over 125,000 big and small Ganesh idols shall be performed in the city.

Patil urged members of the public to immediately alert the police in case they came across any unclaimed or unidentified suspicious objects.

Instructions have also been issued to install maximum CCTVs during the immersion processions which will start early Sunday morning, he said.