Elaborate security arrangements ahead of Ganesh festival, Id Milad in twin cities

Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner N. Shashikumar has said that elaborate security arrangements have been put in place and various precautionary measures taken ahead of the Ganesh festival and Id Milad celebrations in the twin cities.

Speaking to presspersons after a parade of drug peddlers and consumers at CAR Grounds in Hubballi on Monday, the Police Commissioner said that already a parade of history-sheeters has been conducted and some of them have been externed from the district as a precautionary measure.

“We have booked cases against anti-social elements and issued a warning. We have ensured coordination with various departments and also with Ganesh Mandals that will install Ganesh idols during the public celebrations. We have conducted foot patrolling and visited each one of the pandals ahead of the festival,” he said.

This apart, meetings with various religious heads and elders have been conducted, routes fixed for processions and safety guidelines issued, he said.

Mr. Shashikumar said that during the raids conducted during 2024-25, 1,800 suspected drug consumers were rounded up and their blood samples were tested for prohibited drugs.

“Of them, 900 tested positive and we booked around 200 cases against consumers. This apart, we have booked 80 cases pertaining to drug peddling taking action against 250 accused. In fact, of the 105 history-sheeters externed from Dharwad district, 19 are drug peddlers,” he said.

The Police Commissioner said that during the drive, they called parents of drug consumers to sensitise them about the severity of their children’s drug addiction.“

“Subsequently, with the help of doctors from DIMHHANS, KMCRI and private hospitals, we conducted counselling sessions for parents and consumers. This is a continuous process,” he said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Raveesh C.R. and other senior officials were present.

The Police Commissioner has already made it clear that the use of DJ sound systems will not be allowed beyond 10 p.m. during the Ganesh festival as per the direction of the Supreme Court.