Hyderabad, October 07: Commercial complexes and malls can no longer organise promotional programmes on their own. They have to take the permission from city police to conduct such programmes. Police warned that those defying the order would be prosecuted.
City police has decided to crack the whip on commercial complexes and malls organising promotional programmes by inviting celebrities, which sometimes lead to chaos on roads as people throng to see their favourite stars or sportspersons. Shopping complexes and business establishments generally organise such programmes to attract customers particularly ahead of Dasara and Diwali festivals. There have been many instances in the past where police had trouble controlling crowds at malls or shopping complexes where such programmes were being held without prior police permission.
“Managements of shopping complexes, business establishments invite celebrities like cinema stars, sports personalities and prominent persons for conducting promotional events to boost their business. It was being done without prior intimation or permission from us,” City police commissioner AK Khan said in a release. They give a wide publicity in electronic and print media to these events, which result in gathering of crowds during the event.
“Conducting such events led to severe traffic roadblocks in localities and thoroughfares resulting in utter chaos, stampedes and even throwing civic life into disarray,’’ Khan said. To regulate traffic near such events, to maintain law and order and ensure there is no stampede or chaos, managements of commercial establishments who conduct mega events should take prior permission from the concerned deputy commissioner of police (DCP), Khan said. City police issued a notification to this effect on Wednesday under provisions of the Hyderabad City Police Act, 1948. “A business establishment which conducts promotional events without prior permission would be dealt severely. Penal action will be initiated against erring managements and organisers and may even be prosecuted,” Khan said.
Meanwhile, the commissioner asked assistant commissioners of police and inspectors to keep a watch on promotional programmes which took place without police permission. They were asked to take stop events mid-way and take action, if they were found being organised without prior permission.
–Agencies