Patna DM and SSP held a meeting for maintaining law and order during Holi
By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: Patna district administration has gone into full alert mode to ensure that Holi 2026 is celebrated peacefully, safely and in a spirit of harmony across Patna. District Magistrate Dr Thyagarajan S.M. and Senior Superintendent of Police Kartikeya K. Sharma have jointly directed all magistrates and police officers to exercise special vigilance, placing law and order as the top priority.
A total of 659 magistrates and police personnel have been deployed at 607 locations across the city under the supervision of 109 senior magistrates. Armed forces and lathi units have also been stationed to prevent any untoward incidents.
Under the administrative plan, deployments have been made at 94 locations in Patna Sadar subdivision, 163 in Patna City, 69 in Danapur, 144 in Barh, 58 in Masaurhi and 79 in Paliganj. Magistrates have been assigned to subdivision control rooms in three shifts to ensure round-the-clock monitoring.
To strengthen security, public places are being monitored through CCTV cameras, video recording and drone surveillance. Five patrol teams will conduct 24×7 patrolling in the Patna Sadar area. Quick Response Teams (QRTs), mobile patrol units and motorcycle squads have also been fully activated.
The District Magistrate has ordered the deployment of fire brigade teams at Holika Dahan sites and directed hospitals to remain on alert. Major hospitals, including Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna Medical College and Hospital, Nalanda Medical College and Hospital and Guru Gobind Singh Hospital, have been instructed to stay prepared for emergencies. Ambulances will remain available at district control rooms and subdivision headquarters.
In view of safety concerns, private boat operations have been completely banned at river ghats during Holi. Seven teams of the State Disaster Response Force have been deployed with motorboats, divers and rescue equipment. Life jackets and other safety resources have been arranged at all ghats.
Strict vigil is being maintained against liquor smuggling and the manufacture of illicit liquor. The Assistant Commissioner (Excise), SDOs, SDPOs, BDOs, COs and Station House Officers have been instructed to conduct special monitoring and raids in rural areas. Intensive vehicle checks will also continue.
The Bihar Police Headquarters has issued detailed guidelines statewide to maintain peace during Holi and the holy month of Ramadan. Holi will be celebrated on 3 and 4 March 2026, while Ramadan commenced on February 19 2026. Peace committee meetings have been organised in all districts to ensure local-level coordination.
Adequate police force and magistrates have been deployed in sensitive areas with mixed populations. Past incidents have been reviewed and preventive action initiated. A social media monitoring cell is keeping 24×7 watch on rumour-mongers, and strict action will be taken under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Across the state, 35 companies of the Bihar Special Armed Police, 12 companies of Range Reserve, three companies of CAPF, 18,822 newly recruited trainee constables, 2,768 trainee Assistant Sub-Inspectors and 5,100 Home Guards have been additionally deployed. QRTs are active in every police station area, and control rooms are reviewing the situation every two hours.
Appealing to citizens, Dr Thyagarajan and Mr Sharma urged people to celebrate Holi in a spirit of brotherhood and to refrain from paying heed to rumours. East SP Parichay Kumar said any suspicious activity or emergency should be reported immediately via Dial-112, the district control room (0612-2219810 / 2219234) or the police helpline 9031825979.
“The administration has instructed all deputed officers to remain present in their respective areas and to discharge their duties diligently until the peaceful conclusion of the festival,” Mr Kumar added.
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