Diwali festival in the State was celebrated peacefully. The security in the State was tightened following issuance of warning by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to the States of possible terrorist strikes during the festival. Police forces were deployed in the busy markets areas across the State capital. Police visibility was increased with the deployment of additional police forces in the busy market areas while police forces were seen conducting vehicle checking drives at many places to ensure peace during the festival.
State Director General of Police BS Sidhu said that security in the State was tightened with the deployment of additional forces from intelligence personnel, Provincial Armed Constabulary personnel, civil police, dog squads and bomb disposal squads at the market areas, Railway stations, religious sites and other important places. During the festival, police officers were directed to take necessary steps to stop gambling activities under their jurisdictional areas.
Replying to a question of policemen themselves indulging in unlawful activities during the festival, DGP Sidhu said that he would direct the district police heads to conduct inquiry into such incidents if they have happened. The guilty if found would not be spared, he added.
Dehradun SSP Rautela said that all possible steps had been taken to ensure a peaceful Diwali.
The police station in-charges had been directed to intensify patrolling at Railway stations, platforms, railway tracks, bus stands, dharmshalas, dhabas and other places.
Besides, police officers had been directed to deploy additional plain clothes police personnel at jewelry shops, crowed places and busy market areas so that the miscreants can be apprehended promptly.