Hyderabad: Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar announced a strict zero drugs policy for New Year celebrations and directed officers to ensure that no drug-related cases were reported in the city.
Sajjanar issued the directive while chairing a high-level coordination meeting at the Integrated Command and Control Centre in Banjara Hills on Friday. During the meeting, he instructed senior and field officers to maintain constant vigilance across Hyderabad.
He said the police had prepared a multi-layered security plan involving the Hyderabad Narcotics Enforcement Wing, Task Force, Special Branch and local police units. Accordingly, the Commissioner asked officers to work in close coordination to prevent drug use and trafficking during the festivities.
Zero drugs policy includes surveillance at pubs and private parties
As part of the zero drugs policy, police deployed special surveillance teams at pubs, hotels, restaurants and event venues with immediate effect. In addition, officers began monitoring individuals involved in drug cases over the past two years.
Police also started compiling a detailed list of known drug peddlers and consumers. Meanwhile, teams will track people entering the city for New Year celebrations. The Commissioner further ordered checks at private parties held in service apartments and hostels to prevent illegal activities.
The City Police fixed a mandatory closing time of 1 am for all New Year celebrations at pubs, hotels and restaurants. Sajjanar warned that police would take strict action against violators. He said authorities would cancel licences immediately if establishments engaged in illegal activities.
To manage large crowds, police strengthened check-posts and barricades at Maitrivanam, Necklace Road, Tank Bund and KBR Park. However, Sajjanar said officers must ensure that security measures do not inconvenience the public. He added that police should act as facilitators to ensure peaceful celebrations.
“Our goal is that not even a single drug case should be reported during New Year celebrations,” Sajjanar said, urging officers to uphold the prestige of the Hyderabad City Police.
Senior officers, including DCPs N. Swetha, K. Apoorva Rao, Rakshitha K. Murthy, Ch. Rupesh, Ch. Srinivas and Gaikwad Vaibhav Raghunath, along with Additional DCPs Ande Srinivasa Rao and Iqbal Siddiqui, attended the meeting.
