Mumbai gears up for New Year celebrations; over 17,000 cops to be on duty
Mumbai (PTI): The Mumbai police have deployed more than 17,000 personnel as part of elaborate security arrangements to maintain law and order during the New Year celebrations, an official said on Tuesday.
Large gatherings are expected at prominent places in the city, including the Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Girgaon Chowpatty, Bandra Bandstand, Juhu and Versova beaches starting Wednesday evening. The celebrations at various hotels, restaurants and malls are likely to continue till the wee hours of Thursday.
In view of the celebrations, the police have made arrangements for a strict vigil to avoid any untoward incident in the city, the official said.
Nakabandi (police checkposts) will be set up at key locations, important roads, and patrolling on streets will be intensified, he said.
"The Mumbai police, along with the traffic wing, have deployed a massive security force comprising 10 Additional Commissioners of Police, 38 Deputy Commissioners of Police, 61 Assistant Commissioners of Police, 2,790 police officers and 14,200 police personnel," the official said.
In addition, the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) platoons, Quick Response Team (QRT) teams, Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) teams, Home Guards and other forces have been deployed at sensitive and important locations, according to him.
The police will take strict action against those involved in eve-teasing, sale of illicit liquor and drugs, among other things, he said.
The police appealed to people to ring in the New Year and enjoy the celebrations in a peaceful manner by following all the rules.
Citizens are advised to contact the police helpline numbers 100 or 112 for immediate assistance, the official added.
In adjoining Thane, police have launched an enforcement campaign to ensure safety of revellers during New Year celebrations. Authorities have deployed a heavy force to monitor traffic violations and drunk driving.
Under the directives of Thane Police Commissioner Ashutosh Dumbare and Joint Commissioner Dnyaneshwar Chavan, the Traffic Branch has deployed 739 personnel, including 59 officers, across the city.
Road blockades have been established at 54 strategic locations across the city to regulate traffic.
Specific "hotspots" identified for intensive monitoring include Yeur, Upvan, Durgadi, Katai Naka, Mumbra, and Ranjanoli Naka. Police will use 51 breath analyzer machines to test motorists and have warned that strict action will be taken against those creating noise or behaving inappropriately.
Establishments such as bars, hotels, and farmhouses have been issued specific instructions to prevent patrons from driving under the influence of liquor.
Pankaj Shirsath, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic Branch), emphasized the need for collective responsibility.
"The Thane traffic department is making sincere efforts to ensure that New Year celebrations are conducted smoothly. Therefore, it is very important to follow traffic rules as driving under the influence of alcohol, stunts or speeding can cause accidents," he cautioned.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
