Pune: The Pune Rural Police are considering to extend the 'night curfew' in their jurisdiction under which Lonavala and other party hotspots are covered. This move is aimed to prevent citizens moving out of the municipal corporation limits of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad for Christmas and 31st December or New Year celebrations.

Superintendent of Police (Pune Rural) Dr Abhinav Deshmukh said that the Pune District Collector has the power to extend the curfew to the rural areas of the district and that this proposal is under consideration.

SP Deshmukh said, “As of now, until new orders are passed, night movement in rural areas and people moving to rural areas is not restricted. Many tourist places in the district such as Lonavala are ‘hotspots’ for the party. However, we are taking into consideration this scenario.” “The District Collector has the authority to declare the curfew. The police will keep a strict eye for party-goers and will take a disciplinary action on them if found flouting the norms, he added.

The Maharashtra state government has already issued fresh directives regarding restricting movement of people within the municipal corporation limits during the night hours. The state government has also imposed a night curfew including Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. No movement, except for the essential and exempted categories of services, will be allowed within the municipal corporation limits. The night curfew will remain in place till January 6.

HOTELS ALREADY BOOKED IN LONAVALA

Due to the night curfew imposed in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad cities, citizens are moving out of the city limits and enquiring about party plans and accommodation facilities in rural areas. Prominent hoteliers in Lonavala have started receiving booking orders for December 31 party and most of them are already booked by the people living in Pune and Mumbai.