Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru/Udupi
Mangaluru/Udupi, Dec 31: With coastal districts gearing up for New Year celebrations, police in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi have put in place extensive security, monitoring and traffic management measures to ensure public safety and maintain law and order.
A large influx of tourists is being witnessed across the coastal belt, with beach resorts, homestays, hotels and lodges in both districts already fully booked. Owing to the Christmas holidays, visitors from abroad, other states and neighbouring districts have arrived in large numbers and are expected to depart only after the New Year, leading to heavy vehicular congestion. Traffic has increased significantly on National Highway 66 connecting Kerala, Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra, as well as on the Bengaluru–Mangaluru highway.
In Dakshina Kannada, police have announced additional bandobast from the afternoon of December 31. Police officials, along with KSRP, CAR and DAR personnel, will be deployed at key locations. Additional checkposts will be set up and special inspections conducted to prevent untoward incidents.
New Year celebrations will be permitted only at hotels, restaurants, clubs, resorts and other establishments that have obtained prior permission from the police commissioner’s office. Organising celebrations or gathering people without prior approval will invite legal action. Celebrations must conclude by 12.30 am, and prior permission is mandatory for the use of sound and lighting systems, including loudspeakers. The use of DJs in public places in a manner causing inconvenience to children, senior citizens and patients has been strictly prohibited.
Special task force personnel will be deployed to prevent incidents of harassment, violence, teasing or obscene behaviour against women under the guise of celebration. Quick response teams have been formed to keep a close watch on drunken driving, and police have warned of strict legal action, including seizure of vehicles, against offenders.
Surveillance has been intensified to curb the use, sale and transportation of narcotic substances during the celebrations. Suspicious individuals will be subjected to checks, and severe legal action will be taken if drug consumption is detected. Separate permission from the excise department is mandatory for the sale and distribution of liquor.
In Udupi district, superintendent of police Hariram Shankar said extensive security and monitoring arrangements have been made across the district. All highway patrol and Hoysala vehicles have been mandatorily deployed on national highways passing through the district. Strict action will be taken against those driving under the influence of alcohol, indulging in wheeling or engaging in illegal activities.
The SP said meetings were held with CSP-level officers and station house officers on the morning of December 31 to finalise security arrangements at beaches and coastal areas. Homestays, hotels, resorts, pubs and bars across all police station limits are being inspected to prevent illegal activities such as rave or drug parties. Social media platforms, online booking portals and websites are also being monitored to gather information about event arrangements.
Special emphasis has been laid on pubs within the Manipal police station limits, where adequate male and female police personnel will be deployed. The district-level ‘Akkapade’ team has also been pressed into service within city limits to enhance public safety. Special attention is being given to the safety of women, children and foreign nationals visiting the district.
As part of surveillance and crowd monitoring, drone cameras are being used during large public gatherings. More than 500 police officers and personnel have been deployed across Udupi district, supported by three drone cameras, ten additional patrolling vehicles, 24 public address systems, 13 DAR platoons and two KSRP platoons stationed at identified sensitive locations.
Police in both districts have appealed to the public to cooperate with security personnel and celebrate the New Year in a safe, lawful and responsible manner.