Belgaum, September 16, 2013: “Do not allow the district administration or the police to use force during the Ganesh immersion processions, but give a peaceful ending to the ongoing Vinayak Chaturti celebrations in the city,” Deputy Commissioner N. Jayaram and Superintendent of Police Chandragupta told a meeting here on Saturday.

The meeting was convened in view of the Ganesh immersion processions, which marks the culmination of the 10-day festivities in the city, on September 18. It was attended by representatives of various Sarvajanik Ganesh Mandals.

The two officials, while drawing attention towards a few communal disturbances before and during the festivities in the city and other parts of the district, warned rumourmongers against spreading “misleading information aimed at harming communal harmony, peace and tranquillity,” or creating any law and order problems. The mandals are responsible for ensuring that the festival is not exploited by any vested interests, they added.

He said the State government had sanctioned special grants for the festival in Belgaum. Accordingly, various cultural programmes were being held at the Kumar Gandharva Rangamandir in the city.

Folk troupes representing different art forms would participate in the processions, including the main procession to be taken out from Bogarves. Seven immersion ponds and tanks have been readied for the occasion.

Source: The Hindu, September 16, 2013