PUNE: Pune police officials have asked mandals celebrating ‘Dahi Handi’ to follow all restrictions and guidelines set by the court. Krishna Janmashtami, or the birthday celebration of Lord Krishna, is celebrated in Maharashtra and other states.
Police officials said that last year, 1,000 mandals had sought permission for the festival. This year, it is down to 983 mandals.
The successful team is awarded prizes. Police officials said that norms of noise pollution, height of handi, participation of children in human pyramids, presence of ambulance at celebration point should be followed.
Many mandals have pulled out from celebration and contributed the celebration fund amount for flood relief in Kolhapur and Sangli.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Mitesh Ghatte (Special Branch) said that people are free to celebrate the festival. “However, we should follow all norms so as to avoid inconvenience to others,” he added.
The administration, along with the local police stations, and traffic department are scrutinising the applications before issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs). The citizens have said that the police and the PMC should ensure that pandals do not occupy entire road stretch or footpaths.
The PMC plans to complete the process of issuing of NOCs to the mandals in the next two days.
