Tight security in Belagavi for Holi: 1k police personnel, drones and 500 CCTVs deployed

Belagavi: The Belagavi City police made elaborate security arrangements to ensure peaceful celebrations of the colourful Holi across the city on Tuesday. Over 1,000 police personnel were deployed, and checkpoints were set up at 19 locations in the city and taluk.According to the city police commissioner Bhushan Borase, the festival of colours will be celebrated at more than 180 locations. Special security arrangements were made at crowded places, major junctions, markets and other sensitive areas to prevent any disturbance to law and order.Around 250 Home Guards will assist the police during the festival period, while 7 teams of the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) will also be deployed as a precautionary measure.Nearly 500 CCTV cameras installed across the city will monitor movements in public areas, while police personnel will also use body-worn cameras during duty. In addition, aerial surveillance will be carried out at 8 key locations using drones to keep watch over large gatherings.Police will conduct strict vehicle checks across the city and ensure that sound systems are used within permissible noise limits. As school and college examinations are currently underway, commissioner Borse appealed to citizens to maintain peace around examination centres and celebrate the festival responsibly. He also urged the public to avoid spreading rumours and to immediately inform the police about any suspicious activities.Liquor sale banned for 2 daysTo maintain law and order during the festivities, the police commissioner ordered a temporary ban on the sale and transportation of liquor within the Belagavi city police commissionerate limits.According to the order issued by commissioner Bhushan Borse, all liquor outlets, wine shops, bar sections in restaurants, clubs and Karnataka State Beverages Corporation Limited (KSBCL) depots will remain closed from 2 pm on Monday until 11.59pm on Tuesday.The prohibition order was issued under Section 21(1) of the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965 and Section 31 of the Karnataka Police Act, 1963 to ensure Holi celebrations, the commissioner said.