INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
KATHMANDU, MARCH 16Police headquarters said it was mobilising more than 1,600 personnel and traffic cops in the three
districts of Kathmandu valley to provide safety and avert possible untoward activities during Holi celebrations.
of total covid-cases reported Tuesday detected in Kathmandu valley alone
France sixth country with more than 10 mln COVID infections
Most of the cops will focus on road safety as people, particularly youngsters tend to violate traffic rules, thereby increasing
the chances of road accidents
Incidents such as drink-driving, driving under the influence of narcotic drugs, overloading motorbikes, driving bikes without helmets, not
following traffic lights and violating other basic traffic rules are common during Holi celebrations
Such uncivil activities often lead to fatal accidents inside the valley with road fatalities often happening during the festival.
On the eve of Holi, Senior Superintendent of Police Umesh Raj Joshi, head of Metropolitan Traffic Police Division, said police would
follow strict traffic rules with their available devices to control road hooliganism.Similarly, Metropolitan Police Range, Kathmandu, said
police personnel, both in civil dress and uniform would be deployed across the valley to control vandalism, gang fights, or abuse.Police
have been informed about 13 major venues where large numbers of people are expected to amass for celebrations, it said
Such public venues will be monitored, and police may even arrest unruly revellers.The office has mobilised 25 mobile patrol teams, 37 other
foot patrol teams, and 87 quick response teams
Likewise, checking stations have been established at 28 points in the valley.A total of 45 senior officers above the level of DSP will be
mobilised to make the festival safe.Meanwhile, police issued a special notice urging people to play Holi in a decent manner
It has asked people not to smear colours or pour water on the public without their consent."We would like to request the public to celebrate
Holi only with their friends and relatives without forcing others to participate in the celebration
All kinds of activities barred by the law will be enforced strictly," reads the bulletin.They have also requested people to call the police
or dial 100 to file a complaint if they experience or witness any unlawful activities during the celebration.A version of this article
appears in the print on March 17, 2022, of The Himalayan Times
This article first appeared/also appeared in https://thehimalayantimes.com