700 police mitras to guard Delhi at Christmas, New Year

New Delhi: Police Mitras, civilians who volunteer to act as cops, will be deployed to put a check on drunken revellers during Christmas and New Year festivities at hotels, restaurants and pubs in upscale areas with traffic police personnel and the local police.

Around 600-700 Police Mitras will be deployed alongside traffic cops at strategic points to check drunken driving and assisting people, said a senior police officer. “We will seek help from Police Mitras but their participation is voluntary.”

“Also, the work hours are quite odd since the drive will pick up around midnight and continue till morning,” the officer said.

Besides deploying Police Mitras, the Delhi Traffic Police will also caution partygoers by airing messages on FM radio stations and publishing advisory in newspapers. “We urge people to opt for cabs instead of driving themselves if they are drunk,” said special commissioner of police (traffic) Ajay Kashyap.

There will be adequate deployment of staff outside popular restaurants, pubs and bars across the city from the Christmas Eve, he added.

Sources also said DCPs of different traffic ranges and senior officers are also holding coordination meetings with mall managers and pub owners, asking them to keep a check on their customers.