JAMSHEDPUR: More than six Hindu outfits took out colourful processions here on Friday to usher in the Hindu new year on Friday.
Processions, which were taken out from two different parts of the city, culminated at Subhash Maidan (Aam bagan) in Sakchi. Beginning with the blowing of conch and special prayers, maha aarti was offered to the idols of Lord Hanuman and Bharat Mata at the cricket ground in Golmuri, prior to the starting of the procession, which was organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). Amid the beating of the drums and slogans of Jai Shri Ram and Bharat Mata ki Jai, the crowd traversed to Kali Mati road in Sakchi while moving to the last destination point. On the other end, Ram Babu Tiwari faction of Hindu Utsav Samiti took out another procession from MGM Medical College ground.
"A crowd of about 50,000 participated in the procession. The programme would have been grander had the government removed the restrictions," said Hindu Utsav Samiti convenor Arun Singh.
The state health minister, Banna Gupta and MLA Saryu Roy were among public representatives who participated in the processions.
Keeping an eye on the procession through CCTVs and drone cameras, the security forces and civil administration officials were also alert as Friday witnessed rush of Muslim devotees, who offered Friday namaz at mosques ahead of the start of the holy month of Ramzan.
"Festival time always sees heightened police deployment and surveillance. Social media network will be scanned as well," SSP, Tamil Vanan said.
