Bihar police roll out comprehensive security plan ahead of Holi

Ahead of Holi, the Bihar police have implemented a comprehensive security plan to prevent any untoward incidents during the festival. Additional forces have been deployed in all major cities, sensitive locations, religious sites, and Naxal-affected districts, with special focus on Patna and other hotspots.

Police said that strict action would be taken against troublemakers, particularly biker gangs, those involved in racing, or anyone attempting to disrupt peace under the guise of Holi celebration.

Asserting that hooliganism would not be tolerated, Director General of Police (DGP) Vinay Kumar on Saturday asked all the Superintendents of Police (SPs) to take strict measures to maintain law and order during the festival. He instructed all police stations to identify sensitive areas and maintain extra vigilance.

Control rooms have been set up in every district, and officials instructed to submit situation reports every two hours, Mr. Kumar said, adding that any incident must be immediately reported to the DGP control room.

Additional Director General (ADG -Law & Order) Pankaj Kumar Darad has also issued special directives to SPs to strictly ensure maintenance of law and order in their respective districts. Adequate forces, along with magistrates, should be deployed in areas with mixed populations, religious sites, and other sensitive locations.

Mr. Darad instructed officials to identify places that have witnessed tension during Holi or other festivals in previous years, review the current situation and take preventive measures accordingly.

Often, under the garb of Holi celebrations, old enmities and land disputes escalate into serious criminal incidents. “All such cases should be carefully reviewed at the police station level, and a specific strategy should be prepared to deal with them,”Mr. Darad said.

An order issued by the police headquarters said that no incident during Holi should be treated lightly, and special attention should be given to conflicts between different communities.

The order stated that preventive action should be taken impartially against mischief-makers or antisocial elements under Section 126 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). “If necessary, action may also be taken against such elements under Section 3 of the CCA (Crime and Criminal Act) and Section 170 of the BNSS,” the order said.

Under Section 135 of the BNSS, bonds should be obtained, and it must be ensured that these are verified with the sub-divisional magistrate’s office.

Instructions have also been issued to maintain special vigilance on drug-peddling gangs operating in trains. During the festive season, migrant workers returning home are sometimes drugged and robbed during their journey. Police have been directed to closely monitor such activities to prevent incidents.