Tension prevailed at the Sri Divya Kankana Alankara Maha Ganapathi pandal at Sri Nagar in Gajuwaka, Visakhapatnam, on Monday night after the city police allegedly asked the organisers to remove stalls set up around the pandal and dismantle the ‘Yamalokam’ themed set erected as part of the Vinayaka Chavithi celebrations.
The pandal has attracted considerable public attention this year as the Ganesh idol has been decorated with around one crore bangles. The organisers had also set up several stalls and the Yamalokam-themed set as part of the celebrations.
According to the organisers, the police asked them to remove the stalls and the set despite the organisers claiming that they had obtained the necessary permissions for the arrangements three months ago. The organisers alleged that the police were insisting on the removal of the structures and that there was no clarity on the grounds on which the action was being sought.
The issue led to an argument between the stall owners and police personnel deployed at the venue. With the dispute escalating, tension prevailed in the area for some time.
Police officials were yet to make an official statement on the issue. Further details are awaited.
Published – September 16, 2026 01:08 am IST
