In the mood for a dance? be wary of cops’ roving eyes

KOCHI: The Kochi City Police have set stringent guidelines for the conduct of DJ parties, following reports of drug abuse during new year celebrations.

If hotels allow parties to go beyond the permitted time, the police would clamp down on both the revelers and the organisers.

In what could be termed a ‘third-eye,’ the City Police have issued guidelines to authorities of all hotels where DJ parties are scheduled to be held on the New Year’s eve. As part of implementing the rules, the police will hold a meeting with the hoteliers on December 27.

It has been decided to deploy Shadow Police officials at the party venues to avert untoward incidents. If violations are detected, legal action would be initiated against the hotel owners also.
“Hoteliers should allow conduct of parties on the New Year’s eve at their own risk. They should ensure that measures are in place to avert illegal activities. Hitherto, only those who possessed and abused drugs were booked in cases related to night parties. This time, action will be initiated against the hotel authorities also, unlike in the previous years,” said DCP Arul R B Krishna.

The police have already received vital tip-off on possible use of drugs during year-end parties. “Of late, there has been widespread drug abuse at DJ parties held in the city, and we have taken steps to bring all late-night parties under scanner,” said police officials.

As per the new guidelines, hotel authorities should keep detailed records of visitors, and check their identity before entry. Also, it should be ensured that minors are not present in areas where liquor is served, and that none of the visitors bring narcotic substances to the venue. Moreover, the bar timings should be strictly followed.

Meanwhile, the police vigil is likely to dissuade many from attending night parties, especially women for whom police raids would be a scary experience. The party scene in Kochi had suffered a setback after several DJs migrated to the other states last year, following the arrest of a Russian DJ during a rave party.

“No hotel will be ready to lose its reputation and business, and the authorities will take steps to ensure that only law-abiding individuals attend parties. So, the apprehensions of police action affecting parties are unwarranted,” said Browbeatz, a DJ who will be performing in the city on the New Year’s eve.

Meanwhile, some of the DJs opined that the extended police vigil would dampen the spirit of party goers, and that most hotels in the city were already following the rules.
Krishnadas Polakulam, a prominent hotelier in the city, said DJ parties should follow the decorum. “We are against illegal activities such as possession and abuse of drugs. Unlike Goa and Bengaluru, the situation of Kerala is different. So, there is nothing wrong in the police keeping vigil on parties,” he added.