The police on Friday made it clear that they were taking all the necessary precautions to ensure that peace and harmony prevail in the city on the day of the Holi festival.
City police chief A K Khan said that both the Hindu and Sikh communities would be observing Holi, with the former starting the festivities with the traditional bonfire on the evening of March 19th, and the latter community taking out processions on the 20th.
The police said that forces would be stationed at all sensitive areas in the city, particularly on the routes along the processions by the Sikh community.
One procession will commence from the Central Gurdwara Sahib Gowliguda, pass through Mahaboob Gunj, Siddiamber Bazar, Begum Bazar Chatri, Chudi Bazar, Puranapul, Bahadurpura, Sikh Chowni, Baramabala, and culminate at the Kishan Bagh.
Another procession will start from the Charmahal Gurudwara at 4:30 pm and pass through Petlaburj, Puranapul (where 2 more processions will join the main one), move through Bahadurpura, Sikh Chowni and retrace the route back to the Central Gurdwara Sahib Gowliguda.
A separate procession will be taken out from Uppuguda at 4:00 pm, move in the surrounding localities of Kandikalgate, Bhoiguda, Chatrinaka, Uppuguda Railway gate and Ex-Servicemen Colony, and return to the starting point.
The police chief said that elaborate arrangements have been made by his department for maintaining law and order in the city.
Armed police pickets will be posted at sensitive and vulnerable points, said Khan. He said that the police had
already issued prohibitory orders on wine shops and bars attached to restaurants (excluding bars in star hotels and registered clubs) within the limits of Hyderabad city.
The police had also prohibited throwing of colours and coloured water on people and on vehicles in public places, and the movement of 2-wheelers and other vehicles in groups on streets in public places.
The police chief stated that traffic diversions will be made on the routes of the processions taken out by the members of the Sikh community.
Courtesy: INN