Mangaluru,Dec.29: The New Year party must end soon, and without much noise. Police haven’t relaxed the 12.30am deadline for New Year revelers and imposed 19 guidelines to ensure there are no untoward incidents in Mangaluru when it rings in 2015.
Police chief R Hithendra told TOI that the deadline is reasonable for a city like Mangaluru. Bengaluru on Saturday announced a 2am clampdown on revelry and Mysuru extended the deadline by an hour to 1am. Mumbai, the touchstone of nightlife, can party almost till daybreak as police have relaxed the deadline till 5am.
Hitendra argued that Bengaluru and Mysuru have “a vibrant nightlife” than Mangaluru. However, observers said recent unsavoury incidents in the city’s Ullaibettu may have played a role in not changing the deadline.
Deputy commissioner of police (law and order) Jagadeesh K V said his foot soldiers will be out on the streets in full strength to impose the 12.30am deadline and ensure revellers leave the premises in an orderly fashion by 1am. Jurisdictional police personnel have been ordered to act against violators of any of the 19 guidelines issued by police in public safety and interest. The guidelines ask hotels, restaurants, clubs, resorts, organizations and all indoor parties to wind up at 12.30am.
Liquor-serving joints must obtain permission from the excise department to operate for the extended hours. Drinking, smoking and other acts of revelry in public places are prohibited.
Permission for use of public address system has to be obtained from the police commissioner’s office by 4 pm on Dec 31. Organizers must take steps to ensure there are no unsavoury incidents.
“Cultural programmes with people in the buff or in seminude attire will be dealt with, along with miscreants who misbehave with women. Trying to force people to join in the celebrations and drunken driving will attract stringent sections of the law,” he said. Drag-racing, wheeling or any other bike stunt – common during nights of revelry – are prohibited.
Unauthorized entry into students’ and women’s hostels to wish the occupants, and cracker-bursting that shatters public peace will be banned. In case of trouble, call the control room on 0824-2220800/100.
