Cuttack: Ahead of Holi celebrations, police on Friday issued strict orders to maintain public safety and prevent disturbances in Odisha’s Cuttack city.
“Strict action will be taken against individuals found creating disturbances on the streets under the influence of alcohol. Special teams have been formed to check such nuisance,” Cuttack DCP Rishikesh Khilari told reporters.
Security measures have been ramped up in the city with deployment of 22 platoons of police to ensure a peaceful and incident-free festival. Additionally, all liquor shops in the city will remain closed during the festival, and any illegal sale of alcohol will lead to immediate legal action. “Flag marches will be conducted in sensitive areas this evening,” Khilari said.
The DCP also advised the denizens to conclude Holi celebrations between noon and 1 pm.
He also appealed to people to take a bath at home instead of flocking to rivers and other water bodies after playing Holi. “Firefighters and ODRAF teams will be deployed near water bodies to prevent any untoward incident,” he said, adding that police will conduct foot patrolling at these places.
Police have also been conducting raids against the sale of synthetic colours in the city.
Earlier, Bhubaneswar DCP Jagmohan Meena had also warned revellers against venturing into water bodies in an inebriated condition during celebration of the festival on Saturday. A total of 20 platoons of police force will be deployed during Holi for maintenance of law and order in the state capital.
