Picknickers near Khandagiri on the first day of the New Year. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Jan. 1: Picnic spots in and around the city were filled with New Year revellers, but tight vigil by the police kept the day free from untoward incidents.

But to avoid criminal incidents at picnic spots by drunk revellers, the city police had kept an watch on trouble mongers with their personnel deployed at most of these places and the police control room vehicles patrolling at regular intervals.

When picnickers gather at these spots during this season every year, they often quarrel among themselves and with other groups, troubling other people. In the past, there have been instances of local youths harassing woman picnickers.The first day of the New Year witnessed huge turnouts at Jayadev Vatika, Khandagiri, Shikharchandi, Deras, Jhumuka, Dhauli and Nandakanan.

“We have come to Jayadev Vatika to spend the first day of New Year in style. It is a nice spot with all the facilities. We feel safe partying and picnicking here,” said Rudra Pratap Nayak, an engineering student, who came with his friends.

To ensure safety, officials from Khandagiri police station frequently visited these picnic spots to keep a tab on the revellers.

Besides, the officials also asked picnickers to revel without creating any nuisance.

M. Mohapatra, divisional forest officer of Chandaka-Damapada Wildlife Sanctuary where Deras and Jhumuka are located, said: “We request picnickers not to indulge in any untoward activities and keep away from water bodies in an inebriated state.”

A police officer said that officials in all police stations had been instructed to keep a tab on the picnic spots within their limits and ensure peace and sanctity at these places, where many people come for recreation.