Hyderabad police ensured smooth Holi celebrations and Friday prayers on Friday. Additional forces were deployed across key areas of the city to maintain law and order and prevent untoward incidents.

At Mecca Masjid, where a large congregation gathered on Friday for prayers, security arrangements were tightened. A total of 2,000 personnel, including law and order officers, Task Force, Rapid Action Force, and Paramilitary Forces, were stationed across the Old City, covering the south zone.

“Four additional platoons have been deployed, with approximately 400 additional personnel assigned to the zone. An Additional SP from the Armed Reserve (AR) and an ACP from AR were also on duty,” said DCP South West Zone G. Chandra Mohan, whose jurisdiction includes Asif Nagar, Goshamahal, Golconda, and Kulsumpura. Visible policing and drunk-driving checks were key areas of focus.

“All officers on duty were on stand-to orders,” said Rachakonda Police Commissioner G. Sudheer Babu, explaining that 16 platoons, along with officers from Cyber Crimes, SOT, She Teams, CCRB, and IT, were on duty. Stand-to orders require officers to remain alert, prepared, and ready for immediate deployment in case of any emergency.

Joint Commissioner (Traffic) Joel Davis noted that drunk driving checks were conducted at 15 locations in Hyderabad on Thursday.

“On Holi, all 31 police stations in Hyderabad carried out checks to control revellers. Blatant violations such as minor driving and triple riding were a key focus, particularly in the south zone, south east, and south west regions, with shifts expected to continue until 3 a.m. on March 15,” he said.