Drunk driving cases on Holi go down by 31%

NAGPUR: The two-day Holi celebrations were “largely peaceful” in the city, as cops from police stations along with traffic police kept a strict vigil in all sensitive areas and also at major squares. Total 839 cases of drunk driving were registered, which is a dip of 31% as compared to last year while cases of rash driving reduced by 98%.

On Holi last year, which was celebrated on March 12 and March 13, 2017, cops had registered several cases of burglaries, thefts, attempt to robbery, assault, extortion and rape. The “peaceful Holi celebrations” this year can be attributed to the measures taken under Joint Anti-crime Deployment Operations Offensives or ‘Jadoo’, an initiative launched by commissioner of police K

Venkatesham

in 2017 to improve safety of citizens and their property.

On Friday, the CP paid a surprise visit to the control room and wireless office to check the working. Five zonal DCPs, 10 ACPs, 186 PIs and APIs, 1385 police personnel, 223 women cops, 600 home guards, special branch cops, crime branch and two companies of

State Reserve Police Force

worked under the guidance of CP and joint CP

Shivaji Bodkhe

to ensure safety of citizens on Holi.

Combing operations were also undertaken to send goons behind bars as a preventive step.

DCP (traffic), S

Chaitannya

told TOI, “We focused on action against drunk driving. Last year, 1,208 drunk driving cases were registered during Holi celebrations. This year, 839 persons were booked for the offence. The biggest and surprising dip was in the cases of rash driving. Last year, 542 riders were penalized for rash driving during Holi but this year only 12 cases were registered, which is a reduction of 98%.” He added that five minor accidents were reported this year.

The CP thanked all citizens for celebrating Holi in a peaceful manner. He also congratulated all police personnel, from officers to constable and joint CP, for their professional approach. He told TOI, “It is success of scientific analysis of hotspots, watch on anti-socials, planning and execution of various professional interventions by Nagpur police. The traffic police were so alert that they could nab even a drunk ambulance driver. Similarly, control room and patrolling staff promptly responded to calls.”