A policeman patrols at Albert Ekka Chowk in Ranchi on Monday. Picture by Hardeep Singh

The men in uniform will fan out across picnic spots in Ranchi district on Tuesday to ensure a safe New Year.

Policemen, armed with firearms and lathis, will be deputed at all such destinations in both urban and rural areas. Some prominent picnic spots in the city are Rock Garden, Kanke Dam and Sidho-Kanho Park in Gonda, Nakshatra Van, Machlighar and Jaquir Hussain Park in Kotwali, Tagore Hill in Bariatu, Ranchi Hill in Sukhdeongar and Hatia Dam in Dhurwa.

Rural hot spots like Jonha Falls under Anagar police station, Dassam Falls in Bundu, Birsa Munda Biological Park in Ormanjhi, Hundru Falls in Sikidri police station area and Rukka Dam under BIT outpost will also boast security cover.

“Measures are also being taken to ensure security for revellers out on Main Road and other public places,” said senior superintendent of police (Ranchi) Saket Kumar Singh.

Ranchi SP Vipul Shukla added that at least 10 police personnel, including five with firearms and five with lathis, would be deputed at each picnic spot. “Direction has also been issued to the personnel to conduct round-the-clock patrolling on roads that lead to picnic destinations ,” he said.

SP (rural) Asim Vikrant Minz pointed out that as most tourist destinations in rural areas are falls and dams, proper steps had been taken to prevent incidents like drowning. “Some local residents have been roped in to restrict people from venturing towards danger zones,” he added.

Special attention was being given to Ranchi-Pithoria Highway that connects the city with picnic destinations in rural areas.

“Breathe analysers and speed interceptors will be used on Tuesday to check driving under influence of alcohol and over-speeding. Around 200 traffic constables will be out on the roads since Tuesday morning,” said superintendent of police (traffic) Chandra Shekhar Prasad.