Mumbai: The Navratri celebrations will see a bandobast of 6,000 policemen, with 2,000 taking rounds in civil clothes near major garba-dandiya locations like Borivali and Andheri. The zonal DCPs too will take charge and stay on foot. Like last year, the housing societies need not take permission from the police to organise the garba-dandiya celebration programme, but permission for using loudspeakers should be sought from the societies.
Speaking about the permission to play the loudspeaker during the Navratri Celebration, Mumbai police spokesperson DCP (Operations) Rashmi Karandikar said, “The permission to play the loudspeaker shall remain till 10 pm from day 1 to day 7 of Navratri, but keeping in mind the celebratory mood, the permission for the use of loudspeaker will be extended till 12 pm on the last two days of the Navratri.”
The police have also made sure that there will be boards with phone numbers of police officers and lady officers, in case any girl is being harassed in the event.
The Mumbai traffic police too shall keep checks with nakabandis on spots and have a speedometer and breathalyser to put a stop to drink and driving cases.
A police officer requesting anonymity said that there will be regular checks in the city throughout the nine days of the festival, as many youngsters turn up at these dancing events in an inebriated state.
