Cops issue guidelines for smooth conduct of festival in Nellore

Nellore: District Superintendent of Police (SP) Aishwarya Rastogi appealed to the members of Ganesh Utsava Committees to conduct the festival in a peaceful manner following the guidelines of the police. He said this is crucial since village/ward secretariat examinations have been scheduled and the Vice-President of India M Venkaiah Naidu also visiting the city.

The SP stated that people should not use loudspeakers after 10 pm and not to create any difficulty to the people. Cops suggested to the people to Dial 100 if they have any problem in their localities.

Every Ganesh pandal must have police permission, Rastogi mentioned and added more than one lakh candidates are attending the exams for village/ward secretariats in 323 centres in the district and 60,000 alone are attending in Nellore city in 162 centres. Members of the Ganesh Utsava committees have to reduce the sound of loudspeakers during the examination timings. The organisations have to appoint volunteers to clear the crowds during celebrations, he said.

The SP said they had prohibited donations by force in the name of religious functions. Installation of idols will be allowed only at the places where they will not cause any obstruction to free flow of traffic. No unauthorised electric connection at pandals will be allowed and the organisers have to apply for supply of electricity by paying fixed charges depending on load they use, he said. The SP made it clear bursting of firecrackers are also prohibited from 6 am to 6 pm on September 2 till the immersion procession completes.

Municipal Commissioner PVVS Murthy said that organisers should not arrange flexis on the main roads obstructing traffic movement. Nellore DSP J Srinivasulu Reddy, Traffic DSP P Mallikarjuna Rao and others were present.