Even after elaborate arrangements to ensure nothing untoward happens in the national Capital during the Holi celebrations, rowdies indulged in criminal activities and traffic rules violations. The data compiled by Delhi Police shows that the cases pertaining to Holi hooliganism has registered an increase as compared to the previous year.
The Delhi Traffic Police issued a total number of 16,554 challans for violating various traffic norms, while in 2018 a total of 12,630 were issued.
This Holi, the drunken driving has also increased as a total of 1736 were issued against drunken driving this year while it is 1560 last year. A total of 431 challans were issued for interception.
However, road fatalities were less this year as a total of five fatal accidents were reported on Thursday, while 10 persons were killed on Holi last year.
Moreover, witnessing a large number of accidents and high rates of drunken driving, the Delhi High Court (HC) had recently issued an order to stop drunken driving. As per the order issued by the HC, a person who will be caught driving the vehicle drunk, he/he will be sent to jail for a period of one month including imposing fine.
Besides, drunken driving, a total number of 416 challans were issued for Using Wrong Carriageway, 326 for ‘Dangerous Driving’, 409 for ‘Over-speeding’, 1446 for ‘Triple Riding’ and 5092 challans were issued for ‘Without Helmet’ were issued in comparison to 12,630 challans (including 1560 for Drunken Driving, 300 for Using Wrong Carriageway, 129 for Dangerous Driving, 224 for Over-speeding, 1271 for Triple Riding and 3843 for Without Helmet) during the corresponding year.
“Delhi Police had made elaborate security arrangements to ensure that the Holi festival was celebrated in the spirit of festive fervor. All District Deputy commissioners of Police (DCsP) were directed to personally supervise the arrangements.
Maximum staffs of local police were deployed to maintain heightened visibility in public places. In addition to the local staff, 33 reserved companies were also deployed to bolster the strength of local police. Police patrolling was intensified,” Said the Anil Mittal, Spokesperson to Delhi Police.
The data further shows that, the Police Control Room (PCR) has received a total of 11,568 calls related to quarrel and others, out of which 2440 were related to Holi (throwing colours on a person without his/her will. While last year it was 14,504 calls.
The police official further added that, “Vulnerable pockets were identified for deployment of extra staff.
Resident Welfare Associations, Police Mitras were activated to check the Holi revelers.
Special attention was given to university area, hostels and PG accommodations.
Policemen/policewomen were also deployed in plainclothes. Several Traffic teams were formed and deployed to check traffic violations across the city. The Holi celebrations were largely peaceful due to strategic and stronger visibility of police.”