Full Security for festivals

Ramzan and Ganesh festival will witness the tightest-ever security following the two bomb attacks in the city, with an array of closed circuit cameras at vulnerable points and armed police personnel on round-the-clock guard at public places. For Ramzan, the government has granted special permission to commercial establishments to stay open till late in the night in the twin cities and in other important places in the State.

Muslim employees working in government departments can leave office by 4 pm. Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy discussed security and other arrangements for both the festivals with ministers, public representatives and officials. He instructed departments to make fool-proof arrangements for the smooth and peaceful conduct of the festivals.

He said that the government will make the make tightest-ever security arrangements to avoid any untoward incident. Dr Reddy assured the people that both the festivals could be celebrated in a happy and peaceful atmosphere. He appealed to the Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samiti and others concerned to cooperate for the smooth conduct of the festival. He also urged people to help maintain peace and tranquillity.

The Chief Minister instructed officials to ensure supply of quality rice, wheat, additional quota of sugar and kerosene during the festive period. He specifically directed director-general of police M.A. Basith to make elaborate bandobust, surveillance arrangements both during the day and night at the pandals and processions. Chief secretary J. Harinarayan explained the arrangements proposed for the festivals.