Ranchi: In a welcome change, city SPs of Ranchi and Jamshedpur and Dhanbad SSP have stressed moral police had no right to disturb couples sitting in parks, even as the cities are beefing up security on Shivratri and Valentine's Day falling together on Wednesday.

The capital has planned drone surveillance and plainclothes police deployment at strategic locations across the city to prevent untoward incidents in temples and parks that are likely to be extremely crowded on Wednesday.

Confirming around 300 police personnel would be deputed in and around the capital, Ranchi city SP Aman Kumar said any one "disrupting normal life" would be dealt with sternly.

"No one has the right to disturb couples decently sitting in parks or walking together. For this, we will depute police in and around parks. As far as Shivratri is concerned, two Shiv Barats will be taken out, one from Ratu Road and another from Chutia, at 2pm. Organisers have been asked to stick to the timing and not stop at any spot unnecessarily," city SP Kumar said, adding mobile police would escort the rallies.

A policeman at composite control room said Shakti Commandos, a force of women constables to prevent eve-teasing, would be deputed around parks and public places where 'moral police' of outfits such as Shiv Sena and Bajranj Dal disturb Valentine's Day couples.

This apart, police personnel on motorbikes and in plainclothes will make rounds of temples and parks.

In Jamshedpur, city SP Prabhat Kumar said they would protect couples from being harassed by the moral police. Around 100 policemen will be deployed in parks and other public places. PCR vans would go around Jubilee Park, Sir Dorabji Tata Park, Sumant Moolgaokar Park and Ghorabandha Theme Park.

In Dhanbad, SSP Manoj Ratan Chothe said, "We will not allow moral policing by any group to interfere in anyone's private life. Strict action will be taken against those indulging in any violence."

"We have deputed police at Birsa Munda Park, Maithon Dam, Panchet Dam, Nehru Park, Bhatinda falls, Topchanchi lake, in view of Valentine's Day. We have asked police to keep an eye on parks, picnic spots, restaurants and colleges," Chothe said.

With inputs from Jamshedpur & Dhanbad