BIDDING ADIEU: A huge idol of Lord Ganesh passing through M.J. Market area during the centralised procession on Wednesday. — Photo: Mohd. Yousuf

HYDERABAD: A couple of hours delay in forming the main procession line at Balapur in the old city early on Wednesday morning resulted in this year's annual Ganesh immersion procession `meander' late into the night. But the event, held under heavy police bandobast, was celebrated with much fervour and was peaceful.

However, the death of a 68-year-old woman, Rajavva, who was run over by a lorry while trying to take `prasadam' offered at Kandikal Gate, left a sad note.

Unlike last year when a majority of idols were immersed by evening, hardly a few vehicles crossed Charminar at 1.30 p.m. when the procession was halted and loudspeakers fell silent in deference to the noon prayers.

Slow pace

Police became restive towards late afternoon over the slow pace of the procession and began to force organisers to speed up which resulted in arguments between the police and organisers at a few places in and around Charminar.

Even as vehicles inched their way towards Gulzar Houz, tempers frayed as the police stopped the procession near Charminar for the second time to allow evening prayers.

Some people gathered near the Ganesh pandal at Charminar and raised slogans against the police.

Sea of humanity

Debris was found strewn all along the route in the old city and senior police officers were seen hastily removing stones and gravel pieces on the Aliabad route.

The immersion points -- Tank Bund and Necklace Road -- were packed to the hilt with thousands of people converging on the lakeside with an equal number standing all along the route.

Addressing people at Charminar, Home Minister K. Jana Reddy said the vigilant eye of the police had ensured that the Ganesh festivities were peaceful.

Former Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya underscored the need for protecting the values of Hinduism.

At Moazzam Jahi Market, `Vande Mataram' was rendered with gusto by revellers.

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