Coimbatore police ensure zero casualty

While bursting of crackers and distribution of sweets and blankets to the needy marked the ushering-in of 2017, Sunday also witnessed protests by Hindu outfits against celebrating an ‘English’ festival. As many as 1,050 youth, who were caught drunk and violating traffic rules, were made to sit under a temporary tent at 22 places in the city and given counselling from 10.30 pm to 12.30 am. 

It was aimed at reviving them and also to reduce the possible threats they posed to themselves and others, said Deputy Commissioner (Traffic) of the city police S Saravanan. In the drive, the youth were asked to exhibit their talent to the gathering till midnight. Later, a cake-cutting event was organised at all 22 places.

In a surprise gesture, Railway police welcomed with sweets over 1,000 passengers who alighted the Coimbatore Railway Junction since the dawn of 2017 till 6 am. The Naxal Special Division and Coimbatore District Police distributed blankets to 119 people from Chembakarai, Dhumanur and Veppamarathur tribal habitations. Inspector General of Police (IG) for West Zone A Pari said that the celebrations passed off peacefully in all the eight districts in the zone.

Meanwhile, three Hindu outfits organised demonstrations at many places in Coimbatore on Saturday protesting against celebrating the ‘English’ New Year. They raised slogans claiming that such events degrade the native culture. Also, a group of men attached to an outfit were arrested for trying to picket a hotel at Gandhipuram where the New Year celebrations had been organised. As liquor has become inseparable from celebrations of late, Tasmac outlets across the city did brisk business, as a heavy crowd was witnessed at all shops. At Singanallur, Tasmac staff had a tough time closing the shop at 10 pm as customers resisted it.