Pramesh Jain
City Police commissioner,Kamal pant imposed prohibitory orders from 6 pm of December to 6 am of January in the wake of fresh threat of of new strain of covid virus.
The Bengaluru City Police have started preparing for the New Year by putting measures in place to maintain social distancing and deploying police forces at multiple places where the public mostly gathers on New Year’s Eve.
Mr.Pant held a meeting with senior police officials earlier to discuss the security measures on new years eve before announcing the prohibitory orders under section 144 of Cr PC.
Kamal Pant,Bengaluru city police commissioner,along with other senior officers held a press conference at his office,in the view of New year’s Eve he said there has been elaborate security arrangements made across city to look into it no new year celebration will be allowed in public places.
More than 10,000 police personnel will be on field across city,with all Addl CPs,Joint CPs, DCPs, ACPs,PIs,and plain clothes policemen will be also deployed,strict vigil rounds will be conducted across city all Hoysalas,Cheetahs,will be on patrolling round the clock to keep a watch.
Pant said,Section144 of CRPC would be imposed across the city in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic.The 144 Section will be in force from 6 pm of December 31 till 6 am of January 1,he said.
Gathering of five or more is prohibited,he said adding that the orders is against celebrations but ensure safety of people.
Apartment residents and private clubs are allowed to celebrate within their premises but music program,band and DJ is prohibited.
Hotels and restaurants are allowed to function but they should ensure recused covid guidelines like masks and social distancing and provision of sanitization.
Celebration at public places,roads and parks are banned and police patrolling has been intensified to enforce prohibitory orders.
Police have been deployed to checks instances of jolly rides and bike stunts and also carry special drive on drink and.drive .
Strict action would be taken against people who violate prohibitory orders under disaster management act and their vehicles be seized,Mr. Pant warned miscreants to stay indoors.
Pant also said that all unnecessary movement of traffic beginning December 30 would be prevented.I appeal to the citizens to cooperate with the administration in ensuring safe celebrations.
Special focus will be on CBD area as mentioned Pant said that MG road,brigade road,church Street,Koramangala,Indiranagar and many other places it will be complete no man’s zone to ensure prohibitory orders.
Wine shops and bars have been directed to shut down by 11 pm.
We have requested BMRCL Metro trains to function till 11 pm on 31st and a official release will be issued by the authorities.
Flyovers will be closed from 6 pm and nakabandi will be set up at all major junctions to conduct vehicle checks and drink drive checks will be till next day morning 2am.
Guidelines includes :
Gathering of five or more people on public places including roads open areas, parks and grounds for new year celebration is strictly prohibited.
No new year celebration of any type involving gathering shall be allowed.However in house celebration in residential complexes and private clubs may be held for residents and members but without special events.
Hotels,Malls,restaurants,clubs,pubs,club house or any similar type of establishment holding new year events shall not organise any special events like DJ events,shows,program or performance, music nights and music bands or dance programs.
However they may carry out their regular business activities including music within permissible decibels following covid protocols.
Management of establishments shall allow guests only with advance booking for which proof of booking shall be issued.
In notified areas,timing of reservation and guest movement will be regulated by Jurisdictional DCPs.
The management shall not allow waiting crowd to form outside their premises.
Management of hotels, malls, pubs and restaurants should take all precautionary measures in accordance with prevalent covid-19 guidelines along with the guidelines issued by police department,pollution control board and fire and emergency service and other local authorities should be followed.
On Monday,state Home minister,Basavaraj Bommai and Minister of Health and Medical Education Dr K Sudhakar held a meeting with Health department officials and senior police officers, where it was decided that the Health Department will come up with guidelines to ensure the New Year is celebrated in a ‘simple and meaningful way’.
Earlier on Sunday,Bommai had said,The guidelines will be issued to prevent further spread of coronavirus. The objective is to avoid a huge congregation of people at public places, which gives room for coronavirus to spread rapidly.”
In the December 17 order, the state government had appealed to the public to keep celebrations indoors and banned all DJ events and dance parties. The order, issued by Chief Secretary Vijay Bhaskar, permitted bursting of only green crackers, while revellers were advised to refrain from handshakes and hugs.
