Anand reviews security for Hanuman Yatra

Hyderabad: City police commissioner C. V. Anand held a video conference on Tuesday with zonal police officers to review security arrangements for the Sri Veera Hanuman Vijaya Yatra, scheduled for April 12. He reviewed incidents from previous processions and examined the proposed security plan in detail.

Anand said special surveillance would be intensified, particularly at intersections where smaller processions are expected to merge with the main shobha yatra. Additional forces will be deployed in sensitive areas, especially near religious places.

He instructed zonal heads, ACPs and SHOs to maintain continuous surveillance in identified zones. SHOs were directed to personally inspect the procession route from Sri Ram Mandir at Gowliguda and Bible House to Tadbund Hanuman temple, identify potential obstructions and report them to the authorities concerned for immediate action.

SHOs must also inform DJ organisers that avoiding sound systems during the procession would help protect public health and the well-being of devotees. The commissioner said bursting firecrackers, throwing them at pedestrians, or hurling gulal (coloured powder) at the public was prohibited. Participants were advised to exercise restraint, particularly during the return journey.

He warned against provocative banners and asked organisers to limit the number of vehicles and prevent disturbances by miscreants from other communities. Anand clarified that drone usage is banned unless prior written permission is obtained from authorities.

The public is advised not to believe or spread rumours on social media. Circulating provocative or fake posts may attract legal action. Special attention would be given to prevent pickpocketing and chain snatching during the yatra, he added.

Additional commissioner (law and order) Vikram Singh Mann, DCP (special branch) S. Chaitanya Kumar, DCP (IT Cell) Pushpa, zonal DCPs, ACPs, inspectors and other officers attended the video conference.