The city police have devised a plan for surveillance using webcasting technology, as part of security arrangements for the Vinayaka idol immersions scheduled to be held on Saturday and Sunday in the city.
Demonstrating the planned security operations at his office on Tuesday, Commissioner of Police S. George termed the remote monitoring mechanism as “decisive” in efforts to check crowds.
“We will be monitoring the idol processions and immersions, and our personnel will be capturing every move in the crowds with handycams. The footage streamed at the commissionerate will prove effective in case of a crisis, where our team here can pass on orders to the field officers swiftly to bring the situation under control,” Mr. George said, speaking to mediapersons.
The preparedness of the ground teams to respond to orders from the commissionerate was demonstrated through a drill, webcast at the office. “The response teams on the field will act quickly on any situation and bring order to safeguard the general public on the city streets,” Mr. George said.
Over 1,600 idols placed on display in different parts of the city by various Hindu organisations, including the Hindu Munnani, will be immersed in the sea following processions throughout the city. Some locations at Washermenpet, Pulianthope, Egmore, Triplicane, Madambakkam, K.K. Nagar, Selaiyur, Tambaram and Velachery, through which the processions will pass, have been identified as sensitive. Additional security has been deployed at these locations, police sources said.
The annual event of idol immersion post Vinayaka Chatturthi will take place this year at five sea points in the city — Neelankarai, Foreshore Estate, Kasimedu Fishing Harbour, Tiruvottiyur and Ennore.