TN Govt warns against burning tyres, plastics on 'Bogi'

Chennai, Jan 12 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu Government today warned stern action against those who burn tyres, plastic materials and polythene bags on the occasion of ''Bogi'' festival on January 14 and more than 5,000 police would be pressed into service to prevent any untoward incident on the occasion of ''Kaanum Pongal'' on January 17.

An official release here said that when people burn the old things, as a mark of getting rid of old things, on the occasion of Bogi festival, they should avoid burning tyres, plastic materials and polythene bags, which posed a serious threat to the environment.

Those who burn these materials would be arrested and cases would be registered, the release warned. People, however, were free to burn cow dung and old wooden logs on the occasion.

As the Madras High Court had issued strict warnings against pollution, the city police and the Pollution Control Board had launched a massive awareness campaign to protect the environment, it said.

The release said that police had made elaborate security arrangements in places, where people visit in large numbers like railway stations, bus stands, Trade Fair, commercial complexes, temples, Marina and Eliots beaches to prevent any untoward incident on the occasion of ''Kaanum Pongal'' on January 17.

The police advised people to avoid taking bath in sea, especially behind the Labour statue, where a ship wreckage had claimed many lives in the past. Rescue teams, comprising local fishermen had been formed in coastal areas to help people in the event of any distress.

During the festival time, vehicle checks and patrolling would be intensified and in all important places, secret cameras would be installed. People should be wary of anti-social elements taking advantage of the situation, it said.

Policemen in plain cloth would keep a vigil on those who indulge in anti-social and mischevious activities. The movements of chain snatchers and pocket pickers would be closely monitored, the release added.

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