New Year’s Eve celebration: Steps taken to avoid ‘night of shame’ repeat

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The City Police have made it mandatory to obtain permission from the police to conduct Christmas and New Year parties. A list of precautions has been shared with the organisers and the police stations to prevent any untoward incident during and after the celebrations.

On New Year’s Eve in 2017, women gathered around Brigade Road were molested, and since then, cops are more vigilant to avoid any untoward incident. While asking the personnel to behave courteously with the public during the celebrations, Bengaluru Police Commissioner CH Pratap Reddy also directed the officers to initiate necessary action against anyone involved in eveteasing, mischief-making, or disturbing the peace.

Precautions to organisers The organisers of Christmas and New Year parties in the city must obtain prior permission from their respective police stations and other concerned civic authorities. No parties will be allowed to be held without permission in the city. The organisers shall have to explain the nature of the events they would be hosting.

The party organisers have also been asked to ensure adequate deployment of security staff for the party. Female security staff shall be appointed for the safety of women and children. The security staff shall be educated on good behaviour with the participants.

Other directions are the installation of high-resolution CCTV cameras, power backup through UPS and generators, adequate light at the venues, checking of criminal backgrounds of security guards and employees hired for the event, ban of weapon even if it is licensed, through frisking of the participants. Guidelines for police personnel Police Commissioner Pratap Reddy directed all Deputy Police Commissioners and police stations to take strict action if anyone is found violating the rules.

He ordered the CCTV cameras across the city to be monitored and asked the police to increase patrolling in high-traffic locations including Church Street, Brigade Road, and MG Road, and make sure streets are well-lit. Meanwhile, the hoteliers association in the city asked the police permission to keep the shops open beyond 1 am on New Year. However, no decision in this regard has been taken by the city police so far.