Drone to detect curfew violators during Bahuda Yatra in Odisha's Puri

BHUBANESWAR: Alarmed by the violation of Covid restrictions and curfew by some persons on the occasion of Rath Yatra on July 12, the Puri district police has decided to use a drone to keep tabs on the violators during Bahuda Yatra on Tuesday.
The police have also formed special enforcement teams to punish the curfew violators. Devotees have been barred from taking part in the nine-day Rath Yatra festival in view of Covid pandemic.
“We have formed 10 sectoral enforcement teams consisting of inspector ranked officers, a videographer and executive magistrates to ensure curfew enforcement on Grand Road and rooftops of the buildings. A drone will fly over the Grand Road to detect public congregations on rooftops,” Puri SP, Kanwar Vishal Singh said.
Three joint random checking teams, consisting police officers, executive magistrates, Jagannath temple police personnel and videographers have been constituted to identify unauthorised persons near chariots and take prompt action against them. Only a limited number of servitors, police, temple and district officials have been authorised to stay near the chariots.
“Curfew audit will be done regularly by the joint teams of police, municipality and district administration. Prompt legal action will be ensured against the violators,” Singh said.
Total four criminal cases have so far been registered against owners of four hotels and 25 persons for violating the curfew and gathering on the rooftops to watch Rath Yatra on July 12. The offenders have been booked under Sections 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), 270 (malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), 188 (disobedience of government order) and 34 (act committed by several persons with a common intention) of IPC and 3 epidemic disease Act and other relevant provisions of law.
“We have issued notices to 25 persons to explain their unauthorised presence on the Grand Road and in prohibited areas on the day of Rath Yatra. Criminal proceedings under relevant sections of law will be initiated if they are not able to justify their presence on the grand road. Police are keeping a close watch on Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp to check if anyone posts photos or videos of their presence during Bahuda Yatra,” Singh said.