Security stepped up across the city for Bonalu

HYDERABAD: Hyderabad Police Commissioner A K Khan said additional forces would be deployed in the city to provide security at Laldarwaza Bonalu festival which will be held on July 24 and 25. He lauded the police personnel for preventing untoward incidents from happening at previous Bonalu festivals.After a review meeting with the police officials on Friday, Khan said as many as 3,000 policemen would be deployed for the two-day long Laldarwaza Bonalu festival to prevent untoward incidents. He said a joint control room would be set up for people to complain on any issue to the police. People can call on 040- 24500254.About 17 DSPs, 60 Inspectors, 184 Sub Inspectors, 217 head constables, 890 Police constables, 375 home guards, 200 women police with 27 platoons and two Rapid Action Force companies would be taking care of the security at the festival.With more women devotees visiting the temples for Bonalu, the city police is deploying additional women police at various temples to keep an eye on chain snatching and other issues.Directing the managements of the temples in Old City to take measures in hiring staff for the festival, Khan requested them to alert the control room on any objects or articles misplaced during the festivities.Tight security would be provided at Akkana Madanna temple, Laldarwaza temple, Matheswari temple, Gowlipura, Mutyalamma temple, Sudha theater, Nallapochamma temple, Murad Mahahal, and Sulthan Sashi, Rambakshibanda near laldarwaza, Uppuguda and CIB quarters localities.The Commissioner said the main procession will be held on July 25 covering 11 temples. The procession begins from Akkanna Madanna temple in the afternoon.“During the procession, video cameras will be set up to record the proceedings of the procession which will be viewed from the control room,’’ he added.About 160 history sheeters have been taken into custody and 21 illicit liquor cases were booked before the festival.