City police will deal sternly with anyone indulging in unlawful activities during celebrations on the eve of the new year. Both wings of the police department — law and order, and traffic — have decided to deploy additional force to ensure smooth celebrations.

The traffic police will deploy six Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs), 12 Police Inspectors (PIs), 39 Police Sub-Inspectors (PSIs), 22 Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs), 55 Head Constables (HCs) and 114 Police Constables (PCs) to monitor and ensure smooth traffic flow. Those violating traffic norms, mainly over-speeding and drunken driving, will be dealt with seriously. “We don’t come in the way of people celebrating the new year, but the celebrations should not affect traffic movement and lead to accidents,” traffic police said.

Barricades will be put on all important junctions, Outer Ring Road and on all other roads that lead to Bangalore, police said.

The popular areas,y where most people gather for the new year’s celebrations - MG Road, Brigade Road, Cubbon Road, Residency Road, Church Street, Museum Road, Old Madras Bank Road, Rest House Road and Kamaraj Road - will be closely monitored.

DCP (Central Division) BNS Reddy said, “Seven ACPs, 20 PIs, 70 SIs, 101 ASIs and 1000 HCs and PCs will be pressed into service to ensure smooth celebrations. Assistance of fire tenders, water jets, 35 platoons of striking forces and mobile vans will also be taken. Revellers should know their limits and celebrate without affecting the privacy of others. Stern action will be taken against those who engage in brawls after consuming liquor,” he warned.

Usually, 11:30 pm is the closing time for all the bars and pubs, but owners of several bars and pubs have taken permission to keep their bars open till midnight and some owners have taken permission to be open till half past midnight.

Police will act against those keeping bars open past this deadline.