Hyderabad: The Hyderabad police were relieved on Thursday as two major festivals, Ganesh immersion and Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi, concluded peacefully. The city saw colorful celebrations as Hindus bid farewell to Lord Ganesha on Tuesday, and Muslims took out the Milad Peace Procession on Thursday. This was the second year in a row that these festivals coincided.
The overlap of Ganesh festivities and Milad-un-Nabi posed challenges for the police, especially in sensitive areas of the city. The Islamic month of Rabi-ul-Awwal, marking the birth of Prophet Mohammed, began on September 5. Initially, the Milad procession was planned for September 16 but was postponed to September 19.
The 10-day Ganesh festival started on September 7, with the immersion held on September 17. From the beginning of September, police were on high alert to ensure both festivals took place without any incidents.
A total of 25,000 police personnel were deployed throughout the city to maintain peace during these events. Special security arrangements were made in areas known for communal sensitivity. Local police and Rapid Action Force units were stationed near the historic Mecca Masjid and Charminar, as the main Milad procession passed through these areas.
In addition to city police, extra staff from other districts were brought in to assist with security. On Thursday, Hyderabad City Police Commissioner C V Anand, along with Additional CP Vikram Singh Man, South Zone DCP Sneha Mehra, and other officers, visited Charminar and participated in the Milad procession.
