Vigilant Police

Mumbai’s Ganesh Visarjan passed off peacefully this weekend, despite a tense security backdrop. This was in no small part due to the efficiency of the Mumbai police. Just hours before the festival’s climax, the city received a bomb threat claiming an imminent attack involving 14 terrorists and hundreds of kilograms of explosives. Rather than succumb to panic, the Mumbai Police went on high alert, deploying over 21,000 personnel, conducting technical investigations and swiftly arresting the alleged hoaxer to ensure that the city’s biggest religious procession remained uninterrupted.

Every year, millions of Mumbaikars pour into the city’s streets to bid farewell to Lord Ganesh, immersing idols in the sea and other water bodies. Managing such an enormous public gathering is no small feat. This year, in addition to the routine challenges of crowd control, traffic management, and maintaining public order, the police had to contend with a disruptive hoax bomb threat aimed at stoking fear and disorder. Yet, despite these added pressures, it is to the Mumbai police’s credit that the celebrations unfolded without any untoward incident.

Just hours before the Visarjan, a chilling message sent to the traffic police’s WhatsApp helpline alleged that a terrorist outfit called ‘Lashkar-e-Jihadi’ had smuggled 400 kilograms of RDX into the city, spread across 34 vehicles with a plan to detonate them during the religious processions. In a city whose psyche has been indelibly scarred by the 2008 terror attacks and which is acutely familiar with the threat of terror, such messages can never be dismissed lightly.

Mumbai’s police apparatus reacted swiftly and professionally. An immediate alert was issued, critical locations were secured and a visible security presence was maintained across key procession routes. The trail led investigators to a 50-year-old man from Noida, Uttar Pradesh, who was swiftly arrested for originating the hoax threat.

Throughout the climax of the festivities, Mumbai’s police exemplified the correct balance between vigilance and composure. The Crime Branch, along with the Anti-Terrorism Squad and other agencies, conducted combing operations to ensure that no suspicious activity went unchecked.

Crucially, the success of this operation was not just about averting disaster. It was about safeguarding the city’s spirit. The sight of millions of Mumbaikars singing, dancing and participating in the Visarjan processions, undeterred by threats, was a testament to the resilience of India’s financial capital. The police’s professional conduct ensured that the religious ritual remained an occasion of joy, not fear.

For a nation increasingly vulnerable to hybrid forms of terror, Mumbai’s example underscores the necessity of preparedness, coordination, and an unwavering commitment to public safety. Vigilance must coexist with empathy and preparation must not lead to paranoia. The Mumbai Police’s steadfast execution of their duties this past weekend upheld not only public safety but also civic pride. In ensuring that millions could celebrate without fear, the Mumbai Police reinforced their role as guardians of both faith and public order. Their success deserves nothing less than broad and sincere praise.