Amid deployment of a strong posse of over 2,700 police personnel at Muthupettai in Tiruvarur district, the procession of idols of Lord Vinayaka was taken out in the town on Sunday and they were immersed in the Pamini river. 

A total number of 19 Vinayaka idols of various sizes were installed at Muthupettai and its nearby places by the Hindu Munnani on the Vinayaka Chathurthi festival on September 14. 

The procession of the idols for immersion was scheduled on Sunday for which police personnel from Tiruvarur and other districts in the central zone besides some companies from the Tamil Nadu Special Police were mobilised for providing security in and around Muthupettai town and along the procession route. 

A separate security scheme was drafted in advance by the Tiruvarur district police in connection with the procession. The security arrangement was supervised by Inspector-General of Police, Central Zone V. Balakrishnan who was in Muthupettai. 

A slew of surveillance cameras were installed at vantage points to enhance vigil and anti-riot vehicles deployed as a security measure.  Check posts were set up to monitor the movement of vehicles and TASMAC liquor outlets were closed. 

The police said the procession of idols on mini freight carriers and tractor trailers started from the Jambavanodai Sivan temple at Muthupettai at around 3.10 p.m. The idols were taken in a procession through the nearly 6.4-km notified route. 

Sources said the procession of idols passed through Kalladi Kollai, Jambavanodai dargah, Azad Nagar junction, old bus stand, new pallivasal, Chekkadaikulam, Sembadavankadu bypass before reaching the Pamini river where the idols were immersed.  The entire procession passed off peacefully, the sources added.