Hyderabad, Sept. 17 -- Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) Telangana State Dharmacharya Sampark Pramukh, Pagadakula Balaswamy, on Thursday, September 17, urged the government and police to strengthen safety arrangements at Ganesh immersion points and asked festival organisers and devotees to exercise caution.

Reacting to the recent drowning of six students at Neredi Cheruvu in Pedda Kanjarla village under Patancheru limits in Sangareddy district, Balaswamy said such incidents were deeply distressing and should not recur during the immersion festivities.

He said authorities should ensure barricading, deployment of lifeguards and rescue teams, adequate lighting, emergency medical facilities and continuous police monitoring at lakes, ponds, canals...