India, Aug. 30 -- For Mumbai police, sleep has become a luxury. Constables are clocking 18-plus hour shifts, senior officers are virtually living out of their control rooms, and the city's uniformed force is stretched to the very edge.

On Friday, that strain showed in full measure. Even as a steady drizzle slowed the city, officers were pulled in every direction - securing Union home minister Amit Shah's visit, managing Manoj Jarange Patil's Maratha quota rally, and maintaining round-the-clock vigil over the crowds pouring into Ganesh mandals. All this, while preparing for the looming challenge of Eid-e-Milad processions coinciding with Anant Chaturdashi next week.

"We are stretched and overworked but trying our best to minimise inconve...