MARGAO: With Chaturthi celebrations in full swing in the absence of Covid-19 restrictions at Sarvajanik Ganesh Mandals at a number of places across Salcete taluka, police personnel are struggling to maintain an orderly flow of traffic and pedestrians alike, as no additional police force has been deployed by the department for bandobast duty during the festive season.
A police officer, on the condition of anonymity, said that every year, an additional force, including home guards, is sanctioned to individual police stations during Ganesh celebrations, but this year has been an exception. As a result, the available staff is pressed into service and posted on round-the-clock duty as part of the security bandobast for the Sarvajanik Mandals.
There are over 14 Sarvajanik Ganesh Mandals within the jurisdiction of Margao police station, nine in Cuncolim and five at Colva, where celebrations are held for five, seven and nine days.
