LATEHAR: Ahead of the festival of Holi, Deputy Commissioner Utkarsh Gupta, on Monday, has appealed to citizens to celebrate the festival of colors in a peaceful, safe, and harmonious environment. Emphasizing that Holi is a festival symbolizing brotherhood and love, he urged everyone to follow the guidelines issued by the district administration to ensure smooth and incident‑free festivities.
The administration has released a comprehensive advisory asking people to maintain law and order, avoid rumors, and report emergencies promptly. “Holi represents unity and affection. Everyone should follow the directions, ignore misleading messages, and help maintain peace,” the Deputy Commissioner said, adding that the administration is fully alert and prepared to respond to any situation.
Gupta specifically instructed that Holika Dahan must be performed only at open and designated places. To prevent any mishap, residents have been asked to keep water drums or sand nearby for immediate firefighting if required. He also advised using organic or herbal colors, highlighting that chemical‑based colors can cause skin allergies and health complications.
To strengthen emergency response, the district administration issued dedicated helpline numbers. Citizens can contact the District Control Room at 06565‑247981, or reach officials through mobile numbers 08987796308 and 6206159795 (Cyber Cell). For urgent assistance, the emergency helpline 112 is also available round the clock.
The advisory includes a list of do’s and don’ts. People have been urged to play Holi only with consent, especially while engaging with seniors and children. Proper cleanliness after the celebrations has also been encouraged.
On the other hand, the administration has strictly prohibited burning Holika in the middle of roads, using flammable materials like tyres, creating nuisance by forcefully applying colors, tearing clothes, or wearing masks to cause trouble. Driving under the influence of alcohol has also been warned against, with the police set to conduct special checking. The DC further appealed to citizens to refrain from throwing colors on animals and avoid sharing provocative or objectionable content on social media.
The administration has called for collective responsibility to ensure that Holi remains a celebration of joy, safety, and communal harmony.