Hanuman Jayanti processions pass off peacefully under heavy security

New Delhi: The Delhi Police heaved a sigh of relief after processions of Hanuman Jayanti went off peacefully in the national capital on Thursday, with no major law and order issues reported from any part of the city, officials said.

The police remained on high alert throughout the day as multiple processions were taken out across sensitive areas, particularly in northwest and southwest Delhi.

An officer said that three separate processions were carried out in the Jahangirpuri area, which has previously witnessed communal violence during a Hanuman Jayanti procession in 2022.

“To ensure a peaceful event, a total of 13 companies of paramilitary forces were deployed, along with more than 2,200 police personnel in the area. Elaborate security arrangements, including surveillance and area domination exercises, were put in place,” the officer said.

An intense vigilance in the area was mounted in the run-up to the festival, including flag marches and motorcycle patrols across key stretches of the northwest district.

Meetings with local stakeholders were held to maintain communal harmony.

According to officials, CCTV cameras and drones were used extensively to monitor the movement of processions, while barricades were installed at strategic points to regulate crowd movement and prevent any untoward incident.

Another officer said that in southwest Delhi’s Uttam Nagar, one Hanuman Jayanti procession was taken out peacefully under strict security cover.

“Security arrangements were tightened in Uttam Nagar as well, especially in view of a recent incident of violence in the area last month. The procession concluded without any disruption,” the officer said.

The area was on edge following the March 4 killing of a 26-year-old man in a row on Holi, prompting a heavy deployment of police forces for several days.

“Area domination exercises and flag marches were conducted to instil a sense of security among residents. Local intelligence inputs were also actively monitored,” another officer said. “No incidents were reported from anywhere in the city. All processions passed off peacefully,” the officer said.