KATHMANDU, MARCH 28
The atmosphere of Holi this year was less festive in Kathmandu valley due to the consideration of a fresh wave of Covid-19 as authorities warn of increasing infections in neighbouring countries.
Last year, the festival was celebrated with much fanfare and there were several Holi programmes in different places. This time, no such programme was announced on the occasion. The celebration was held mostly in a close circle.
Police earlier had urged the public not to go in a large circle during the Holi.
According to Central Police Spokesperson Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Basanta Bahadur Kunwar, Holi celebrations seemed comparatively dull this year because of the pandemic and so far there were reports that no untoward incident capable of jeopardizing the peace and security took place in the name of Holi celebrations.
"Our strategy is to discourage the people to form a crowd while celebrating the festival,'' SSP Kunwar added.
However, crowds of youths could be seen at Sundhara, Ratnapark, New Road, Basantapur, and some other open public places.
Earlier, the government had urged everyone to observe the festival within the family and apply health safety measures as well. It had warned of action as per the Infectious Diseases Act-2020 if the direction was overlooked.
The Valley Police tightened the security bearing in mind the possibility of untoward incident and crowd during Holi.
The festival has been celebrated in the hilly districts including Kathmandu today and will be observed in the Tarai region tomorrow.
