JOIN US For the first time ever, Bengaluru is likely to witness a totally different mood on the night of December 31 as police are contemplating banning the New Year celebrations on M G Road, Brigade Road, St Mark’s Road and Church Street—the favourite haunts of revellers.
The bomb blast, which occurred outside the Coconut Grove restaurant, might result in a blanket ban on the New Year celebrations in the Central Business District (CBD), if senior police officers are to be believed.
Just on Saturday, the police had issued an order permitting bars, liquor outlets and eateries to remain open till 2 am for two more hours on the night of December 31.
They were all to declare on Monday a slew of security measures for the big night.
“It is too early to say anything on these matters,” Police Commissioner, M N Reddi, said. “We extended the deadline and issued an order. We’ll have to take a fresh look at the things and act accordingly.”
Some other senior officers said that the police had decided to rethink the security measures proposed for the New Year celebrations, including extending the deadline for bars and eateries.
“We can’t rule out imposing a blanket ban on the areas that have traditionally been the hotspots for revellers. Considering that we are short-staffed and a large number of revellers may turn up on the night of December 31, such an action would mean a lot,” said a CCB officer. It is almost certain that there will be heavy restrictions on the night of December 31. The CBD will be heavily patrolled, he added.
But considering the huge business and the reputation of the City and its police, the law-enforcement agency may not completely ban the celebrations. But ushering in the New Year on roads and at traffic junctions may be banned, besides the assembly of people and parking of vehicles in the CBD.
Police said they would issue guidelines to malls, business establishments, function halls and those organising parties, in this regard.