Ganesha festival: Cops frame rules

As a prelude to it, Police Commissioner Sunil Agarwal held a meeting of concerned citizens, from all the police stations limits, at Channamma Channabasappa Choultry, in the city on Wednesday evening.

The Commissioner sought co-operation of the public in observing the event without giving room for any untoward incidents. He also assured co-operation on the part of the police.

Pamphlets consisting of the norms to be followed were also distributed on the occasion.  
Those organisations consecrating Ganesha idol in public places have to apply in the prescribed format available at  the respective police stations and return the duly filled in applications before September 10 at 4 pm. On the recommendation of the officers of the jurisdiction police stations, the organisers have to obtain permission from the office of ACPs.

-  Collecting donations by force in the name of the festival is prohibited according to section 384 of IPC. Those convicted under the case will have to undergo three years of imprisonment or fine, or both.

- The organisers have to provide informations related to the place of consecration and also immersion, procession route and other related matters at the respective police stations and obtain permission.

- Place selected for consecration should not affect smooth flow of traffic and also putting up shamiyana is prohibited.

- Applications should be enclosed with a letter of approval from the owners of those places where the idol will be installed. Besides, permission letters from Cesc should also be enclosed.

- Loudspeakers have to be used only between 6 am and 10 pm without disturbing the public according to an order of Supreme Court.

- Holding of any lucky dip, lottery and also entry fee is prohibited.

- Organisers should also take the responsibility of securing the area by deputing their own men and keep in touch  with the cops.

- Precautionary measures have to be taken in the case of lighting oil lamps and also of power.

- The idol has to be immersed within 11 pm and instructions given by the police on the occasion have to be followed. The procession has to be carried out on the left side of the road without affecting traffic.

- Before charting out any cultural programmes, the organisers have to obtain prior permission from the officers concerned two days in advance, to help police bandobust.

- A list of office-bearers (maximum six) has to be made. They will be responsible for monitoring the programmes.

- In case of any violation, the public may inform the  city police control room on 100, 2418139 or 2418339.

Immersion banned at Karanji

Immersion of Gowri-Ganesha idols in Karanji Tank adjoining the Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens is prohibited, as the tank has been converted as a nature park and a shelter for bird species. Disposing off the remains of pooja, plastic is also banned in the interest of birds sheltered in the tank as well as the health of residents of adjacent areas.

Mobile tankers

Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has arranged three mobile tankers for the safe immersion of Ganesha idols in the city on September 11 and 15.According to a press release here, on both days, these mobile tankers will be stopped near Metagalli Police station, Yadavagiri,  Vikram Hospital, Jayamma Govindegowda Kalyana Mantap, Kuvempunagar from 4 pm to 5.15 pm. From 5:30 pm to 6:45 pm, they will be stationed near K D Circle, Jayanagar 2nd stage, near Shantala theatre and Jayanagar Railway Gate.

From 7 pm to 8:15 pm, they will be stationed at Chandramouleshwara Temple, Vontikoppal, near Matrumandali,  and near ‘Gobbali mara’ at J P Nagar. From 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm, they will be parked near the main entrances of Kukkarahalli Tank and Lingambudi Tank (via Srirampura).

Citizens could have more details from G R Ganeshan (94483-25544), K L Savita (94488-00667), Y S Radha (98809-33020), D Mahendra (98453-73757) or D Manjanna (99450-33045).

Eco-friendly festival

Children’s Movement for Civic Awareness (CMCA) has appealed to the people of the city to celebrate the festival in an eco-friendly manner. Stating in a press release, the association urged the citizens not to pollute the lakes, tanks and rivers by immersing the idols painted with artificial colours which would pollute them in turn causing harm to the domestic animals and people who consume them. They stressed to buy eco-friendly idols made of clay and painted with natural dyes which does not cause any harm to the environment. Do not decorate the idols with artificial embellishment made out of plastic but use only natural flowers and cotton.

Remove the decorative items and immerse the idols after the festival in a bucket of water at your premises, were the other suggestions. More than 3,000 children in the association also urged not to use or play sound system from 10 pm to 6 am and disturb the residents.

 Norms

A set of 34 norms has been issued from the office of Superintendent of Police Rama Subba. Important among them include observing the festival without harming the sentiments of other religions, deploying four expert swimmers at the place of immersion, prohibition on indulging in disturbing activities under the influence of liquor, to name a few.

Public may inform SP on 0821- 2520040, Additional SP- 0821- 2446638, Dy SP (rural) 0821- 2436600, Dy SP (Hunsur sub-division) 08222- 2052044, Dy SP (Nanjangud) 08221- 226249, District Special Branch 0821- 2418611 or district police control room on 0821- 2444800, said a release.