Mumbai: Cops act against groups on Holi, disperse crowds

Youngsers play drums and celebrate Holi in a chawl at Sonapur Road, Kurla West, on Monday. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

Despite the municipal commissioner and chief minister appealing to citizens to stay indoors and not celebrate Holi amid the rising COVID-19 cases in the city, people were seen violating rules. Even while patrolling, cops found people openly celebrating the festival and even dancing to loud music. Sources said that many youngsters were spotted celebrating in groups at housing societies and going out for bike rides, even as residents tweeted about the violations happening in their society premises.

A group of people without masks celebrating Holi at Shanti Nagar in Andheri on Monday. Pic/Satej Shinde

Dancing to music

Mahim Koliwada was one of the places where gross violation of rules was seen. Massive crowding was seen and people were dancing to music in the area on Monday morning. As the video of the festivities went viral, DCP (Zone 5) Pranay Ashok rushed to the spot and stopped the celebrations.

"We had asked the societies in the area to behave responsibly during festivals, yet some were seen violating norms. As we came across such violations in Mahim Koliwada, officers rushed to the spot. The DCP himself visited the area, shut down the loud music and asked people to go home," said Vilas Shinde, senior Inspector of Mahim Police station. "Cops were put on duty at the koliwada for the rest of the day to avoid any such incident again. No offence was registered," he added.

Cops receive plaints

Mulund too witnessed Holi celebrations in public places. Areas like Bhoir Nagar and Gavhanpada (Mulund-East) saw DJ parties. A group of about 50 people were seen partying on the streets at Gavhanpada. However, no police patrolling was taking place in the area around that time.

Police received a number of complaints regarding celebrations in a society at Mulund-West too. Cops rushed to the building and stopped the celebrations. Mulund police station officer Vijayalaxmi Hiremath said, "We had asked patrolling teams to keep an eye on violations in housing societies and public places. No gross violation of rules was observed during the day. No offence has been registered."

Citizens take to Twitter

Citizens took to Twitter to raise their voice against the violations across the city. They tweeted about celebrations in public places at Bhoiwada, Chembur, Kandivli, Ghatkopar, Borivli, Andheri and Prabhadevi. The complaints were mainly about swimming pools being used, no social distancing being followed and loud music being played.