Patna, 02 March (ABN): To maintain law and order during Holi, a large number of Quick Response Teams are being deployed at the district headquarters as well as at the sub-divisional level, while special vigilance will be exercised at sensitive places where riots and vandalism took place last year. This information was provided by Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Pankaj Kumar Darad on Monday. He was addressing a press conference at the auditorium of Sardar Patel Bhavan, Police Headquarters.

The Additional DGP said that considering the tradition of Jhoomta procession on the occasion of Holi in Arwal, Nawada, and Gaya, special instructions have been issued for extra vigilance. Additional police force will be deployed at these places, no procession will be allowed without a license, and all police stations have been directed to issue licenses only after physical verification of the routes.

He said that in view of Ramadan, special precautions have been taken for Holika Dahan and playing with colors. A complete ban has been imposed on loud DJ music and obscene songs. Armored vehicles, water cannons, and adequate police force have been deployed in all districts, while orders have been given for immediate and strict action against objectionable posts on social media.

According to the Additional DGP, 50 incidents took place during Holi last year, including Rohtas, Nawada, Patna, Munger, and Sitamarhi. In view of this, special surveillance has been arranged at these sensitive places, and all district control rooms have been connected to the police headquarters, keeping them on alert for 24 hours.

He said that in view of Holi, the police have taken preventive action against more than 1.32 lakh people since February, arrested 5,459 accused in various serious cases, seized 373 weapons and 2,186 cartridges, and collected over Rs 1.58 crore by checking around 95,000 vehicles under the S-Drive. A large quantity of illicit liquor has been seized, and 1,918 wanted accused have been arrested.

Additional DGP Pankaj Kumar Darad further said that to maintain law and order during Holi, an adequate number of police forces, trained soldiers, Home Guards, and CAPF have been deployed in different districts. Additionally, extra police force has been deployed in Katihar, Jamalpur, Gaya, and Patna railway districts to ensure the safety and convenience of rail passengers.