IW SP issues dos and don'ts for picnickers
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, December 29 2022: Superintendent of Police, Imphal West Ksh Shivakanta Singh has wished everyone a safe and happy new year and at the same time appealed to the public against creating public nuisance and unwarranted disturbances to others in the name of year-end and new year celebrations in the district.

Highlighting the popularity of picnic spots along the river-banks in Sekmai, the SP said that a public meeting with Officer-in-charge, Sekmai Police Station Kh Sunilkumar Singh, leaders of all villages and local clubs of the area and its surrounding villages was held on December 28 at Sekmai police station to chalk out ways to minimize untoward incidents at these picnic spots during the New Year celebration.

IW SP issues dos and don'ts for picnickers

The meeting was held to sensitize the leaders of the nuisances which could be witnessed during the New Year celebration and of peaceful ways to control them.

Anticipating heavy rush of picnickers on December 31 and January 1, 2023 as is the norm every year along the river banks at Sekmai, the SP appealed to everyone visiting the spots to maintain discipline, cleanliness and refrain from creating unnecessary nuisance to others.

The SP strongly appealed against bringing any firearms, licensed or otherwise, to the picnic spots, and said that any firearm found during frisking and checking at entry points will be confiscated.

He said licensed firearms will be returned to the rightful owners only after proper verification.

People should also be mindful if they are accompanied by children, the SP said, strongly appealing against anyone going unnecessarily into the river.

"We need to be alert.

There have been unwanted drowning incidents in the river in the past couple of years during the festive season", the SP said.

He said the police would identify restricted zones where the river runs deep and further urged all to respect these signs.

The SP appealed to the picnickers against creating disturbances in the neighboring villages to avoid untoward incidents.

"Another thing we have to be mindful of is the waste", he said, urging picnickers to bring their own waste bags and dispose of their waste at IMC designated waste collection centres.

"We have witnessed several accidents along the highway over the years and further appeal to all to follow traffic rules", he said adding that strict traffic checks will also be conducted.

The SP also stated that with the support of local clubs and leaders, there will be some restrictions on timing of picnics in the area.

He said that entry will not be allowed after 12 noon into the picnic spots and that closing time will be 3 pm.

He added that by 4 pm, all the picnics should end.