Amidst unprecedented security in view of the ongoing holy month of Ramzan fasting, scores of small processions on bikes were carried out to mark Sri Rama Navami in the city on Sunday. The main procession from Sitarambagh, however, was led by BJP MLA Raja Singh.
The environs of Sitarambagh, Mangalhat, Begum Bazaar, Gowliguda, Koti and surrounding areas reverberated with chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ by thousands of Ram Bhakts found waving giant saffron flags in the scorching heat.
At Rani Avanthi Bai hall, the BJP MLA performed puja to the huge idol of Lord Rama and commenced the Shobha yatra. A large number of youngsters sporting saffron caps, kurtas, and scarves, were dancing to the high-decibel tunes coming from humongous music systems in the procession.
Local traders and welfare organisations distributed free food, buttermilk, and water, to devotees all across the procession. When the chariots carrying the idols of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, Laxmana and Hanuman entered residential colonies, devotees welcomed them by showering flower petals from their balconies and terraces.
Hyderabad Commissioner of Police C.V. Anand, along with officials of concerned departments, including GHMC, HMWS&SB, and TSRTC, monitored the shobha yatra. He said that over 7,000 police officials, including those from SHE teams, OCTOPUS, Greyhounds and over 1,000 from various districts, were deployed to monitor and control the rallies throughout.
Apart from CCTV cameras, the city police, for the first time, used two drones to check the gaps between processions, Mr. Anand said, and added that the processions passed off peacefully.
“Two drones were used to monitor the processions and check the gaps. Each zone will be given a drone for use during such processions,” the CP said.
An additional police force was deployed in sensitive areas and speeches of religious leaders who attended the rallies were video graphed. The Shoba yatra culminated at Hanuman Vyayamshala with a meeting.
At the communally-sensitive Bhainsa town in Nirmal district, a large number of BJP leaders and Bajrang Dal members participated in the Rama Navami rally starting from Purna Bazaar to Ramleela Maidan.
