Taking moral policing a step further Hindu outfits have issued warning against holding any kind of worship on December 31 night to wring in the New Year. This follows their premise that New Year celebrations are part of Western culture and should not be done here.

As a result of this warning, the City Police have made adequate security arrangements in and around the places of worship such as temples and churches for New Year eve.

Talking to reporters, City Police Commissioner, A. Amalraj pointed out that no kind of worship would be permitted to be disrupted. “We will not allow that to happen. It is one’s belief,” he said.

Though the Police had not received any specific threat with regard to New Year celebrations, the Commissioner said that 1,200 police personnel and one battalion of the Tamil Nadu Special Police will be deployed for security work, including keeping a check on drunken driving.

As a New Year gift to people who enter the city during night from other places to spend New Year with their families, the Commissioner has instructed eateries and hotels in and around bus stands and railway stations in the city to remain open round the clock.

“However, this system will be allowed on a trial basis. If it leads to any incidents, it will be reverted to the original closure time of 11 p.m.,” he said.

On accident rates, he said, though there was no immediate statistics, fatal accidents had come down, due to strict monitoring of helmet rule.