In view of the possible congregation of people for celebration of ‘Zero Night’, the Odisha Government imposed night curfew across the State on Thursday from 10 pm to 5 am on Friday.
Informing this, Special Relief Commissioner Pradeep Jena, however, said all essential services and movements were allowed during the curfew.
The Government had earlier prohibited ‘Zero Night’ celebrations and ‘Welcome to New Year’ programmes on December 31, 2020 and January 1, 2021, respectively.“Any person found violating this order shall be punished under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and other relevant laws,” the Government order stated.
Sec 144 To Be Imposed In Odisha’s Twin CitiesBesides the curfew, prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC were also clamped in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack from 9 pm on Thursday to 5 am on Friday.
Commissioner of Police Sudhanshu Sarangi urged the residents to stay indoors and celebrate the New Year with their family members. He also ordered closure of shops, hotels, other business establishments and restaurants by 9 pm.“We have received information that feasts have been planned at several apartments and residential areas to celebrate the New Year.
We urge the people not to organise such events. Police teams will conduct surprise raids at such places and take action,” said Sarangi.A total of 40 platoons of police force were deployed in the twin cities for blocking and checking at different places, he said.