Bhubaneswar: In a bid to ensure that there is no large gathering in public places, the Commissionerate Police on Thursday decided to clamp prohibitory orders under Section 144 in the Twin Cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.
Police Commissioner Sudhanshu Sarangi appealed to the people of the twin cities not to take part in Zero Night celebrations by organizing parties in apartments and other residential areas.
It is to be noted that the State government has ordered imposition of night curfew from 10 pm tonight to 5AM tomorrow morning across the State. However, all essential services and movements of goods vehicles are allowed to continue during curfew hours, said additional Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena.
The Police Commissioner said that Section-144 will be clamped from 9 PM tonight (December 31) till 5 AM in the Twin Cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.
“We urge people to closed down their shops, hotels and other commercial establishments and return to their respective homes by 9 PM tonight. We want to ensure that there is no large congregations in view of the New Year,” said Sarangi.
Sarangi further said that the Commissionerate Police has got information that several apartments and residential areas have planned to organise large congregations to celebrate New Year. We urge them not to organise any kind of event as our patrolling teams will conduct surprise raids and take necessary action, he said.
“Though there has been a sharp decline in COVID-19 cases, we all need to extra cautious to ensure that there is no second wave,” said Sarangi.
The Police Commissioner said only people engaged in the essential services will be allowed on streets during the Night Curfew.
Around 40 platoons of police force will be deployed in the Twin Cities and special blocking and checking drive will be intensified tonight.
"Even though clubs and hotels will be closed, we have decided to curb the movement of people during the restriction period. We urge people to celebrate New Year inside their homes and do not congregate," Sarangi added.
(Edited By Devbrat Patnaik)