from special correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (MB)

Panaji, Sep 13: While it is homecoming time for Goans for Ganesh Chaturthi, the state police have put itself on alert with two paramilitary companies summoned during the eleven day long festival.

Goa, a tourist state with around 70 per cent Hindu population, celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi as its main festival. Those working outside Goa return back home for the celebration as elephant-headed God idol is worshipped in almost every household.

The influx has already began putting pressure on the inter-state transport system. While state-owned Kadamba transport corporation will run additional buses, the Konkan railway corporation which connects the state with Mumbai and Karnataka will be having 54 additional trips.

"The extra special trains have already started running from today onwards," Baban Ghatge, public relation manager, Konkan railway corporation limited (KRCL), stated.

The trains will continue till Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations end in the last week of this month, he added.

Pre-empting any law and order situation, Goa police has insisted that metal detector would be installed at all the public Ganeshotsav Mandals in the state.

Police records confirmed that there are nearly 25 Sarvajanik Ganeshotsavs to be celebrated in South while 20 would be celebrated in the North Goa district. Mandal committees have been asked to employ private security guards to assist the police.

"Two companies from central industrial security force will also be requisitioned to look after the law and order situation," Ujwal Mishra, deputy inspector general, Goa police, said.

The 3,000-odd strong Goa police force faces a manpower crunch during the festival as many policemen sought permission to go back to their natives to celebrate the festival.

Police have also began a public awareness complaint to inform the control room immediately, if they find any suspicious movement, during the festivities.