Festival-related crimes
There is an increase in crime during the festivals, whether it be robbery, theft, cyber attacks, or the use of harmful chemicals in sweets. Cyber-attackers use social engineering techniques to entice users to make purchases from or register on unknown websites. As the holiday season approaches, people must prioritise their safety along with all the other pleasures.
The following are a few oddities of the festival season that have an effect on security guarding in general:-
The following are some special aspects of the festival season that have an impact on security guards generally:- Intense public involvement is observed through the development of local committees that construct enormous pandals with idols.
There are several celebrations that last for a number of days, usually 8 to 10. There are large gatherings at mosques and temples as appropriate, as well as for visiting pandals during Ganesh Chaturthi and Durga Pooja.
Processions for religious celebrations like Ganesh Chaturthi and Muharram are conducted.
Local fairs typically draw sizable crowds, which puts a lot of strain on the city’s infrastructure. Eve harassed and attacked women.
There is a significant rush for shopping during the festival deals. Obstacles to Security and Safety Antisocial elements use large crowds, heavy foot traffic, and the religious significance of festivals to cause trouble in order to further their goals of notoriety, causing strife in the community, and upsetting harmony.
The use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and timed bombs at events and in religious settings could be envisaged as a means of achieving this goal. Additionally, this may be applied in crowded bazaars and shops.
A new threat for the current year is the Lone Ranger armed or suicide attack.
destruction of religious properties to stir up conflict.
large crowds attending Ganesh Chaturthi and Durga Pooja ceremonies at temples and mosques, as well as visiting pandals.
Processions for religious celebrations like Ganesh Chaturthi and Muharram are conducted.
Local fairs typically draw sizable crowds, which puts a lot of strain on the city’s infrastructure. Eve harassed and attacked women.
attacks on religious processions, especially when the processions travel through areas of neighbouring groups. A new threat is posed by activities and responses to cow vigilante organisations. An increase in thefts and other crimes, especially at high-value locations
Jewellery and electronics, homes, and small-time criminals operating in bazaars and malls.
catastrophes like stampedes and fires.
Alcohol-related intoxication: leads to people committing major crimes like murder, injury, and grievous injury. Crimes against women, like outraging women’s modesty, rape, and murder in particular, are on the rise. Gambling and drug use are becoming more popular, and it’s typical for women to be deceived into getting drunk by having their food or drinks laced with substances.
The use of dangerous chemicals in sweets that are ingested by large numbers of people can result in severe food poisoning and even result in a fatality.
Domestic Abuse: Moreover, there is a rise in The brutal and inhumane treatment of a woman by her husband or a relative of her husband as a result of extreme drinking is known as domestic violence. According to Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, a person who commits a crime of domestic abuse faces up to three years in prison and a fine.
Noisy Environment: Loud music is played at parties during celebrations, which contributes to noise pollution. In addition, burning loud firecrackers can seriously harm the ears. According to Section 268 of the IPC, noise pollution is considered a public nuisance. The act or illegal omission of a person constituting a public nuisance must inevitably result in harm, obstruction, danger, or irritation to those who may need to use any public right as well as to the general public or to those who live in the area or who own property there. A common annoyance cannot be justified on the grounds that it provides a benefit or convenience.
Using crackers contributes to air pollution, which is detrimental to breathing, especially for individuals who have asthma.
COMMON OFFENCES
Robbery: Robberies also increase dramatically during these times. The victims who are either drunk or in busy areas where they can be readily robbed without the victim’s knowledge are the crooks’ main targets. Robbery is the term used to describe the forceful taking of a person’s personal property. The key distinction between robbery, theft, and extortion is the presence of imminent fear of violence. Section 390 of the Indian Penal Code defines robbery.
Grievous and Hurt :Short gunpowder particles that are present in the crackers during the celebration might hurt the victim’s eyes, sometimes even resulting in partial blindness and other significant problems. These instances, depending on the severity of the victim’s injury, constitute the offence of being harmed and being hurt very badly.
Injury from gambling, grievous injury, and assault: The act of gambling involves risking something valuable in the hopes of winning something equally valuable. A federal law known as the Public Gaming Act of 1867 outlaws gambling and the operation or management of public gambling establishments. The penalty for breaking this law is a Rs. 200 fine or up to three months in jail.
Gambling occurs at private parties during festivals, along with the sale and consumption of alcohol and drugs. These gatherings have served as a gathering place for many cases waiting for hard narcotics and heavy alcohol use. These may result in situations where individuals may fight, which may result in assault. use of alcohol and drugs the taking in of
during these festivals, and despite the government’s restriction on the sale of intoxicants legally, people nevertheless buy alcohol and narcotics illegally. In addition to these instances of intoxicant consumption, there are instances where drinks are laced with drugs to unintentionally dose ladies. They are vulnerable since the medicines have made them high.
Driving after drinking As is well known, drinking alcohol increases the risk of drunk driving, which is illegal and occurs not only on Holi but also on Diwali, New Year’s, etc. Accidents at these festivals are frequently the result of drunk driving. Drinking and driving is a crime under section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, which states that the first offence of driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a drug is punishable by up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to 2,000 rupees.
Conclusion
The majority of crimes committed during these events, such as eve-teasing, gambling, and alcohol consumption, are not viewed as seriously serious by the general public. What’s worse is that some people even regard them as customs and rituals that must be followed. As a result, despite the police’s best efforts, crime rates are not declining. The public must refrain from participating in these crimes and uphold law and order. They must anticipate spending the holiday with friends and family and refrain from using it as an excuse to commit crimes. Police officers make every effort to stop any of these crimes from happening, but public support allows for more effective prevention. We must all keep in mind that each of these offences carries specific penalties, and those who commit them will face legal consequences and be held legally responsible for their actions. Therefore, the only thing that needs to be kept in mind is that we, as citizens, in a collective effort, need to come together to protect the genuine core of the festival, which is to spread joy and encourage global fraternity rather than to damage others or invade people’s personal space.