BHUBANESWAR: In a major disappointment for event organisers and party enthusiasts this Holi, the Commissionerate of Police has decided to reject all applications for paid Holi celebrations on a commercial basis which had been scheduled for Monday.
While the Bhubaneswar Urban Police District’s licensing cell received around 30 applications for ‘paid’ events in the city, all proposals have been denied permission.
Sources said in most cases, the organisers violate the terms and conditions of the police permission by allowing alcohol, loud music and a huge crowd beyond their capacity during the celebration. This leads to chaos and hooliganism.
Policing activities like enforcement, law and order management and traffic control get affected if a part of the strength is diverted to control scuffles and revelry in private parties or events, DCP Satyabrata Bhoi said. “We have decided not to allow any paid events in the city on the occasion of Holi,” he added.
However, other events such as fests and gatherings in schools, colleges and communities which do not have entry fee have been permitted, he added.
An enforcement drive on bootleggers began on Thursday and will continue till Monday. Police in plainclothes will man the vicinity of liquor shops and vulnerable locations to check sale of booze during Holi.
Sources said around 20 people died and over 80 sustained injuries in road accidents, drowning and group clashes at various places on the day of Holi in 2016 in the State.
A strict vigil will be maintained on the city roads, river ghats and sensitive areas to avert any untoward incidents, police said.