The Inspector General of Police of Garhwal Range, Sanjay Kumar Gunjyal asked the district officers to strengthen security in the market areas, religious places, important institutions and the like in view of Diwali festival slated on Sunday. While presiding over a meeting held with the district police chiefs of the range through video conferencing on Tuesday, he said that additional police forces would be deployed at market areas with people thronging them to do Diwali shopping.
Besides, he stressed on vehicle checking drives at the inter-state borders, inter-district borders, sensitive places and important crossings to prevent illegal transport of weapons and adulterated sweet items.
The police officers were directed to put intelligence staffs on alert while the police station officers would intensify police patrolling in the areas of their jurisdiction. Police need to be vigilant regarding theft and burglary, as they show an upward trend during the festive season. Gunjyal also said that police officers should promote eco-friendly Deepawali by taking the people on board through public awareness campaign.
He said the police would allow sale of firecrackers only from the demarcated open places. The officers should inspect the places before permitting shops to sell fire crackers. Moreover, fire service officers should be directed to be active during Deepawali festival and their response time should be minimum, he said. He also cautioned officers regarding gambling, a rampant practice during Deepawali festival.