Social media platforms and DJs will be under scrutiny of the district administration during Holi to be observed on March 9 and 10.

East Singhbhum senior superintendent of police (SSP) Anoop Birtharay, while addressing the nearly 300 peace committee members at the Michael John Auditorium in Bistupur on Thursday, said that the cyber cell of the district police and the local police stations will be keeping watch over social media platforms and DJs who spin tracks at Holi revelries.

The peace committees are police station-level groups comprising local residents who act as a bridge between the administration and the common people.

“The cyber cell of the district police will be keeping a tab on provocative and incendiary messages being circulated on Whatsapp, Twitter and other social media platforms. We also requested the peace committee members to be cautious on spread of such content on social media platforms and immediately inform the administration about the Whatsapp group (where such messages are being shared),” SSP Birtharay said.

He said that notices have been sent to all the 30-odd DJs in the city and outskirts to desist from playing communally sensitive and vulgar songs during Holi revelries.

The committee members at the meeting.

“Notices have also been sent to all the DJ operators against playing communally sensitive and vulgar songs both during Holi and Ramnavami (April 2). We also sought cooperation of the peace committee members in ensuring that no such songs are played in public during Holi and Ramnavami,” added Birtharay.

The SSP also asked the peace committee members to make youths aware against getting distracted through social media messages without getting them confirmed from the police and the administration.

According to police sources, more than 3,000 jawans will be on duty during the Holi festivities.

Traffic police and excise department officials will also be jointly carrying out drives against rash driving and drunken driving. The teams will have breathalysers.

Dhalbhum sub-divisional officer (SDO) Chandan Kumar said more than 155 magistrates will be deputed across the district during Holi.

“The magistrates will be deployed along with static police force for maintaining law and order. We will also be taking help of CCTV cameras to keep a tab on mischief mongers and revellers creating disturbance during Holi,” the SDO said.

March 10 will be a dry day (no sale of liquor) and traffic curbs on entry of heavy vehicles into the steel city will be in place in the city on March 9 and 10.

“Senior administration and police forces will be keeping watch at the control room during the Holi festivity. Fire tenders and medical teams would also be kept ready at the control room for any emergencies,” said the SDO.