'Operation Utsav' to guard city during Diwali

SURAT: Police have launched 'Operation Utsav' to check crime in the city during the ensuing festive season. They have made special arrangements and formed teams to guard commercial establishments including jewellery shops and angadia firms and also houses that will remain locked for a long period during the Diwali vacation.
Residential societies in areas like Varachha, Katargam, Amroli, Kapodra and Punagam remain deserted as people living here mostly Saurashtrians go to their villages during the vacation.
Police will keep a tight vigil and carry out regular patrolling in the vulnerable areas for which it will also requisite a few private vehicles, sources said.
"To have an additional manpower, we will take the services of a few security guards from the licensed security agencies. The guards will work with uniformed personnel for around 20 days," said city police commissioner Rakesh Asthana.
Police stations have been asked to hold meetings with residential societies to check the prevailing security measures there and to ask them to employ a security guard during the vacation period when many residents go out of the city.
"We expect the residents to inform the police at the meetings of the number of people going out so that our patrolling teams keep a close eye on these societies," Asthana said.