Pune Rural Police Hold Review Meeting with Ganesh Mandals Ahead of Ganeshotsav 2025
Pune, 21st August 2025: In preparation for the upcoming Ganeshotsav, Pune Rural Police Superintendent Sandeep Singh Gill convened a review meeting with office-bearers of 128 Ganesh Mandals across 18 police station jurisdictions in the Lonavala, Khed, Junnar, and Shirur sub-divisions. The meeting, held on August 14 at Bhimashankar Hall, Chavan Nagar Police Headquarters, aimed at ensuring that the festival proceeds peacefully and without disruption to law and order.
The session was attended not only by Ganesh Mandal presidents but also by village police patils, station house officers, and representatives from key departments, including the District Collector’s Office, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company, Regional Transport Office, Excise Department, BSNL Pune, Public Works Department, and the Forest Department.
Superintendent Gill issued clear guidelines to the mandals, emphasizing security and social responsibility. Key instructions included:
Installation of at least four CCTV cameras at every mandal.
Appointment of volunteers and deployment of at least two members at night for idol security.
Avoiding loud, disruptive sound systems and laser light shows.
Preventing forced collection of donations or membership fees.
Diverting unnecessary expenditure towards social initiatives such as tree plantation, awareness drives against child marriage and narcotics, and organizing sports competitions for youth fitness.
Ensuring no incidents of harassment or misconduct, especially against women.
Mandals were also instructed to maintain cleanliness, avoid dumping waste into rivers, and ensure that immersion processions are conducted in a disciplined manner without obstructing traffic. Special care was advised to prevent children from entering riverbeds during idol immersions.
Additional SP Ramesh Chopde addressed the participants, resolved some of their immediate concerns, and urged them to coordinate closely with the police in case of future challenges. He also encouraged mandals to stage tableaux promoting patriotism and Operation Sindoor.
Several Ganesh Mandals received appreciation from the police for proactively supporting initiatives like installing CCTV cameras, avoiding high-decibel sound systems, and organizing eco-friendly activities. These mandals were felicitated with floral tokens of gratitude.
