No cake-cutting on roads, no late-night DJs: Chhattisgarh police on high alert for New Year’s Eve

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh police have gone on high alert ahead of new year’s eve, issuing strict guidelines across districts to curb drunk driving, public nuisance and law-and-order violations. From banning cake-cutting and stunts on roads to stopping loud music after 10 pm and watching crowds with drones, the police have made it clear that celebrations will be allowed only “within the law”. Farmhouses, hotels, bars and event venues have been warned of action if they serve liquor without licence, sell illegal alcohol or allow drug use on their premises. In Raipur, a high-level meeting was held at the Civil Lines police control room to review preparations. Raipur range IG Amresh Mishra and SSP Lal Umed Singh chaired the meeting with CSPs and ASPs. Senior officers have held a meeting with hotel, restaurant, café, dhaba, farmhouse and bar owners, instructing them that all celebrations must be under CCTV surveillance. SSP Singh has ordered that DJs and loud music at new year parties must be shut down by 10 pm while the celebration should also conclude by 1230 hours. If liquor is sold without licence, drugs are supplied, or music is played beyond the permitted time, organisers will face legal action and their licences may be cancelled, the officer warned."Parking on main roads or service roads outside venues has been banned. If traffic is disrupted because of haphazard parking, police will proceed against the hotel or farmhouse management, not just the individual vehicle owners," SSP said in the meeting.Shops to shut briefly, organisers ‘responsible’ for drunk guestsOn New Year’s Eve, shops in outer areas of Raipur will remain shut between 12.00 am and 12.30 am as part of the crowd-control plan. As per the guidelines, "public drinking – on roads, in parked vehicles or other public places – will invite legal action. If any event is found to be a hub for drugs or serious law-and-order violations, the venue’s licence will be cancelled."Drone surveillance and heavy deployment in BilaspurIn Bilaspur, the celebrations will be monitored from the sky. Police will use drone cameras and interceptor vehicles to keep watch on crowded areas from the evening of Dec 31 till the morning of Jan 1.SSP Rajneesh Singh said more than 800 police personnel and over 100 home guard jawans have been deployed for night-long patrolling in urban as well as rural areas. Action will be taken against those playing loud music on DJs or speakers, driving vehicles without silencers, doing triple-riding on motorcycles, or carrying illegal weapons.Security tightened in Bastar, 400 personnel on dutyIn Jagdalpur and other parts of Bastar, police are on high alert for four days leading up to New Year. Around 300–400 personnel have been deployed, and nearly 150 CCTV cameras are being used to monitor key locations across the city.Durg warns: stunts and cake-cutting on roads mean jailDurg police have issued a clear warning: those cutting cakes on roads, performing bike or car stunts, or indulging in hooliganism in public spaces may be sent to jail immediately.Senior Superintendent of Police Vijay Agrawal said every activity on roads and in public places will be closely monitored, and any violation of rules will attract strict legal action.Across districts, police have appealed to citizens to celebrate responsibly and report any emergency or suspicious activity immediately.