Ludhiana rings in New Year with gusto as police keep watch

LUDHIANA: Senior police officials, station house officers and police post in-charges, besides the force at large, were deployed on city roads from 5pm till midnight to maintain law and order during New Year celebration.
Sources said that 3,000 police personnel were present in principal markets including Sarabha Nagar, Malhar Road, Dugri, Gol Market, BRS Nagar, Chandigarh Road, South City, old city, besides major chowks and roads of the city.
Police commissioner Mandeep Singh Sidhu held a meeting with police officials on Thursday night during which it was decided that 3,000 police personnel and 190 vehicles would patrol the roads in all zones of the city. By the evening, city residents had started visiting various markets with family and friends.
“Earlier, police teams used to remain outside a few hotels and hotel managers would think that police are protecting their hotel and their guests.
This time, police presence was not restricted to a few hotels hosting New Year parties,” the police commissioner said.
He also said that a drive was conducted to check drunken driving and against those consuming liquor in open areas. City police have banned consumption and serving of liquor in the open. They remained on the roads till midnight.