KATHMANDU, Nov 7: In order to make the Tihar festival peaceful and safe, police have launched a campaign to control the smuggling and sales of firecrackers and intensified security checks on roads so as to minimize road accidents.
According to the police, the major reasons behind the disturbances caused during the festival of lights are the use of firecrackers and consumption of alcohol. Spokesperson for Nepal Police, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Uttam Raj Subedi said that the police will be focusing on minimizing these causes of disturbances to make sure that the public can celebrate Tihar safely and peacefully.
“Firecrackers are a major hurdle to a peaceful and safe Tihar,” he said, “Hence, we are focusing on minimizing its smuggling into the country.” He added that various new security check posts have been set up, police officials in plain clothes have been mobilized, the number of active police personnel has been increased, nighttime mobile patrol has been increased, ambushes have been set up and other various measures have been taken to minimize the smuggling and sales of firecrackers across the nation. More than 35 people have been arrested across Nepal ahead of the festival for the possession or smuggling of firecrackers.
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Similarly, the police claim that the excessive consumption of alcohol is another major cause of disturbances during festivals. SSP Subedi claimed that drunk driving is the major reason behind the sharp increase in road accidents in the festive season.
“We have seen the number of road accidents increase during this festive season. Hence, we have planned to intensify checking drunk driving in order to minimize road accidents,” he said. The number of road accidents occurring during the festive season throughout the nation reached an all-time high of 568 this festive season.
Deusi till 10 PM
A meeting of the local administrations and members of the district security committees of the districts in the valley has decided to restrict the Deusi in the Valley to 10 pm like in the previous years. According to the authorities concerned, the decision was reached to make sure that the Deusi tradition which carries a significant cultural value should not create problems for the residents of the Valley.
Chief District Officer of Kathmandu, Ram Prasad Acharya said that the public has already been informed that Deusishould not be played after 10 pm. He added that if they find individuals playing Deusi even after 10 pm and disturbing neighborhoods, strong action will be taken against them.
“We don't have a problem with Deusi. It's the drinking which causes violence that we are against,” he said, “If we find people playing Deusi even after 10 and disturbing other people, we will take strong action against them.”
