The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Serial blasts cast shadow on Bonalu

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Monday, Jul 28, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Serial blasts cast shadow on Bonalu

Staff Reporter

Tight security in place; eight bomb disposal squads pressed into service

20 armed force platoons, two companies of RAF and 1,000 policemen deployed
Police personnel maintain constant vigil from rooftops; frisking to continue today

-PHOTOS: NAGARA GOPAL

Stars celebrate: Film star Pavan Kalyan being blessed at the Lal Darwaza Sri Mahankali Temple. (Right) Telugu Mahila president R. K. Roja carrying the traditional ‘bonam’ during the procession in old city on Sunday.

HYDERABAD: Amid tight security in the wake of serial blasts in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad, the two-day Bonalu festival that commenced in the old city on Sunday passed-off peacefully.

Eight bomb disposal squads were pressed into service to check temples and surrounding areas along with the procession route. Special police pickets were posted at all sensitive areas to prevent any untoward incident, said DCP (South) Atul Singh.

Twenty platoons of Armed Force and two companies of Rapid Action Force, besides 1,000 policemen were deployed for smooth conduct of the festival. Police personnel maintained constant vigil from rooftops. “We will continue frisking till Monday,” the DCP said.

Procession

The festival will conclude on Monday with a massive procession of ‘ghatams’ from different temples placed atop exquisitely decorated vehicles and culminate with immersion in the Musi.

Earlier in the day, traditionally clad women offered ‘bonam’ containing cooked rice mixed with jaggery and curd in utensils as ‘potharajus’ dancing to the pulsating drumbeats led the entourages. The appearance of film star Pavan Kalyan at Simhavahini Mahankali temple in Lal Darwaza caused commotion among the people there. Actress-turned-politician Roja too turned-up with a ‘bonam’ so did Nava Telangana Praja Party founder T. Devender Goud accompanied by his family. Endowments Minister J. Ratnakar Rao offered ‘pattu vastralu’ at Sri Akkanna Madanna Mahankali temple in Haribowli. “Devotees turned out in large numbers this year too despite the prevailing security scenario in the city,” said Sri Akkanna Madanna Mahankali temple president G. Niranjan.

Traffic curbs

Police imposed traffic restrictions on Monday on the eve of the procession. Traffic would be stopped or diverted from 12 noon to 9 p.m. on routes connecting Charminar, Mirchowk and Falaknuma. Traffic will not be allowed from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Telugu Talli flyover from Iqbal Minar towards Katta Maisamma Temple on the Lower Tank Bund road.

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