Jamshedpur police gear up for safe Holi, 2000 personnel to be deployed 

Jamshedpur, March 8: Elaborate security arrangements are being made in the Steel City to prevent any untoward incidents during the festival of colours Holi. The administration plans to deploy 2000 police personnel including 800 in urban and 1200 in rural areas.

All the police stations of the East Singhbhum have been asked to take up measures to prevent hooligans from creating law and order problems on the festival day. Cops have been directed to keep an eye on people who roam in the streets after consuming liquor and create nuisance.

“Small time criminals cross the limits on the pretext of Holi celebration and many a time this creates problems for the police. Keeping in mind about the possible scenario we have asked the officer in-charge’s of the police stations to carry out arms checking exercises and pace up patrolling for the next couple of days,” said an official.

Magistrates, police officers, including constables, have been deployed in large numbers to maintain peace and harmony in  sensitive areas like Jugsalai, Mango, Sakchi and Dhatkidih, he said.

The police officials said that strict security would be in place for the festival of colours and those indulging in mischief in the garb of revelry would be taken to task.

Meanwhile the city police department is working hard in keeping a stringent vigilance on eve-teasers during Holi, as incidents of eve-teasing and passing lewd comments on girls and women are reported the most during this season. Cops in plainclothes have been deployed for a watchful eye on crowds especially youths, who indulge in eve-teasing.

“We are also carrying search operations at different hotels and lodges to nab suspected people. Moreover extra vigil is also being kept at the border areas of the district,” said Ajay Linda, City SP. 

The district administration has also banned the sale of liquor during the Holi festival to ensure peaceful celebrations. When contacted, an Excise department official said: “We have ordered liquor shops and bars to remain closed on March 18. Moreover transportation of liquor too has been banned during this period. The administration has made elaborate arrangements to ensure peace during Holi”.

He went on to add that the move which will stop people from driving while consuming alcohol, consumption of liquor in public, buying and even transporting liquor from one place to another has been banned.

A police official said that playing loud music after 10 pm has also been banned in silent zones like hospitals and residential colonies. Ambulance facilities will also be made available in emergency cases by dialing police control room number 100.