Thiruvananthapuram police gear up for safe New Year

Thiruvananthapuram: The city police has prepared a detailed action plan including zero tolerance for drunken driving to ensure incident-free New Year celebrations. Unlike Kochi city police, no blanket ban has been imposed on DJ parties in hotels. However, the police and excise officials are maintaining a strict vigil against the illegal supply of liquor at hotels. Restrictions are also imposed on the use of speakers.

Apart from the usual deployment of additional force at all tourist spots like Kovalam, Shanghumugham and Varkala beaches, Pink Patrol will also be put on duty during the New Year eve. "Pink Patrol will be deployed mainly in Kovalam and Technopark areas where lots of women, including non-Malayalis, will be celebrating," said deputy commissioner Shiv Vikram. City police commissioner Sparjan Kumar said strict restrictions had been imposed on the use of mics and speakers in open spaces.

"We are also launching special drives against drink driving with the objective of zero-tolerance on drunken driving," he said. The police is also planning to set up watch towers in Kovalam where hundreds of local people and tourist used to celebrate the arrival of New Year. Meanwhile, the excise officials have been carrying out intensive raids at hotels at Kovalam to check whether liquor was being stocked for the New Year bash. The hotels have also protested the frequent checks by excise officials.