Mumbai: Three types of special police squads will be formed in the western suburbs to monitor venues hosting live shows and music concerts from Bandra to Oshiwara, Andheri to Powai, and Sahar to BKC: anti-drug, anti-harassment and anti-theft squads. The areas fall under three zonal deputy commissioners (zones 8, 9, and 10). The move follows the deaths of two MBA students, reportedly due to a suspected drug overdose, after attending a music concert in Goregaon (East). The students are believed to have consumed ecstasy tablets. A circular to form the squads was issued on April 14 by additional commissioner of police (west region) Paramjit Singh Dahiya. Senior officers from 21 police stations have been directed to form the squads, which will oversee concerts featuring Indian and international artists, including bands and DJs. For events with up to 2,000 attendees, each squad will consist of two teams, with each team comprising one officer and four constables. For larger gatherings, the number of teams will scale proportionately — for instance, four teams per squad for 4,000 attendees and six teams for 6,000 attendees.The circular says police personnel must ensure minimal inconvenience to attendees and maintain a courteous and professional demeanour at all times. At the same time, they are instructed to remain vigilant, closely monitor suspicious activities, and take legal action when necessary. The circular specifies that fees for deploying the squads must be collected in advance from event organisers, in line with rates prescribed by police headquarters. “All such collections must be properly recorded in official registers,” said an officer. Senior police inspectors have been tasked with strictly enforcing these directives, ensuring that squads — comprising at least two personnel, or more depending on crowd size — are deployed at every event within their jurisdiction.Security personnel may also be deployed in and around event venues as required, with the associated costs to be borne by organisers and collected in advance as per established guidelines.An officer from a police station in the western suburbs said, “Plainclothes officers are already deployed at events to maintain vigilance. Organisers are also given a list of dos and don’ts when permissions are granted. We are awaiting detailed instructions from the latest circular to plan further action.”
