Monday is going to be unique for more than 250 police personnel, who are part of security arrangements at the Madras High Court campus – they will be clad in traditional attire rather than their regular khaki, to kick off the festive season.
The High Court police division of the city police comprising the High Court, Esplanade and the High Court All Woman police stations with close to 400 personnel, will come together to celebrate Samathuva Pongal, an initiative by the police force at the High Court.
Hosted by the joint commissioner of police (north), C. Sridhar and deputy commissioner (Flower Bazaar), T. Senthil Kumar, the event will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College’s ground on the Madras High Court premises.
A variety of events has been planned, including a rangoli competition and sports for the policemen and policewomen. Senior police officers and advocates will form the audience for the day.
At the rangoli contest, 12 teams comprising 15 women constables each will battle it out to for victory, whereas the men will participate in five sports events including tug of war and athletics. A couple of track and field events for women will also be part of the morning, police sources said.
“Many of us won’t get Pongal holidays due to the requirement of additional police personnel in the city to control the festive crowd. And so, to boost the morale of our men and women for the season, the city police have organised Pongal celebrations and will reward personnel who excel in the contests,” assistant commissioner (High Court), K.N. Murali told The Hindu .
Constables both from the city police and armed reserve force have also been supplied with Pongal pots and other raw materials to gear up for Monday morning.
The Madras High Court, with 110 subordinate courts, is regularly under security cover with close to 400 police personnel working on three shifts on a daily basis with CCTV surveillance of the premises.
