By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Mar. 27: Metropolitan Police Office Ranipokhari has laid out a Holi-targeted security plan in the Kathmandu Valley following the Home Ministry's decision to prohibit crowds in public places in an effort to contain coronavirus transmissions.
Holi celebration is planned for March 28 in Hilly region and for March 29 in the Terai. Three district administration offices of the Valley -- Katmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur -- in collaboration with the local police have started implementing the plan to thwart crowds during Holi, as well as to ensure the celebration happens in proper manner.
A team of 5,000 police personnel are set to be mobilised based on the plan, which also includes enforcing facemask for those celebrating the festival in the Valley.
"We will mobilise more than 5,000 policemen according to the plan to control illegal activities," said Additional Inspector General (AIG) and chief of the Metropolitan Police Office Hari Bahadur Pal.
In addition to that, plan to take legal action against those who forcibly hurled water-filled balloons or colors to others without their prior consent.
The security plan also includes Keeping the Valley’s roads congestion-free, for which 1,600 police will be deployed in Kathmandu district alone.
"Plainclothes police will be deployed to monitor untoward activities, like forcibly hurling water-filled balloons, harassing girls and disturbing peace in a community," he said.
What’s more, Police are preparing to tighten the checkpoints in a bid to arrest drunk drivers whose number spikes during the festival. AIG Pal said those who drive without helmets would also be prosecuted.
Under the plan, those caught without face mask would be made to pay stipulated fine, said Chief District Officer of Kathmandu, Kali Prasad Parajuli. "We will take action against those who do not comply with the request made by the Home Ministry in accordance with the Infectious Disease Control Act," Parajuli told The Rising Nepal.