Mandals meet top cop over security cover

MUMBAI: The governing body of Ganesh mandals met with police chief Satya Pal Singh on Friday to review security arrangements for the upcoming festival. Meanwhile, the city collectorate has invited organizers to identify important locations where closed circuit cameras may be installed this season.
Joint commissioner (law and order) Sadanand Date and traffic police chief Vivek Phansalkar were present at Friday’s meeting that was attended by representatives of around 400 mandals.“We have requested the police to help train volunteers and the authorities have agreed,” said Naresh Dahibawkar, president of Bruhanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti.
Meetings with zonal police officials in Andheri and Borivli are scheduled over Monday and Tuesday. Last week, Mumbai guardian minister Jayant Patil acknowledged the Samiti’s request to shore up CCTV coverage along the Lalbaug-Parel belt that houses big idols like Lalbaugcha Raja and Tejukaya.