Chennai, September 16, 2013: Over 1,400 Ganesha idols taken on procession amidst heavy police security were immersed in sea at different parts of the city on Sunday. Except for a stabbing incident in Palavakkam, the immersions that went on till dusk were overall peaceful.

The idols displayed at different parts of the city with police permission by different groups including Hindu outfits were taken in a procession starting from 10 a.m. on Sunday to designated spots in Kasimedu, Ennore, Palavakkam, Tiruvottiyur and Pattinapakkam for immersion in the sea.

Devotees transported the decorated Vinayaka idols of different sizes in lorries, tempos, load autorickshaws and even bullock carts through city roads along with police personnel keeping vigil to avoid any untoward incidents enroute. The immersion spots also witnessed heavy police presence.

More than 100 idols were immersed in North Chennai and no incident of clash or agitation was reported till the end. However, a man was stabbed by one from his own group after they reached Palkalai Nagar in Pallavakkam as a procession around 6 p.m. to immerse an idol. An argument among them is said to have ignited the stabbing and the victim was admitted to a hospital immediately by police. His condition is stable, police sources said.

Earlier in the evening on Wallajah Road, a large Ganesha idol being transported in an open vehicle lost balance and fell on some devotes and police personnel walking alongside. A few persons suffered minor injuries. The idol was soon erected back on the vehicle and transported for immersion at sea in Pattinapakkam, sources added.

Source: The Hindu, September 16, 2013