In the wake of increasing cases of drug abuse, the Kochi City Police has decided to clamp down on DJ parties on New Year's Eve in the city.

The police have now formulated stringent guidelines to prevent any illegal activities during such parties and has decided to take a “zero tolerance policy” towards drug abuse. Not just the defaulters, but the hotel owners will also be penalized upon flouting the guidelines.

Shadow police will reportedly be deployed at all venues.

The decision to do so and the detailed norms will be conveyed to the hotel owners in the city, in a meeting convened on December 27, according to reports.

Assuring that the police have no intention of “spoiling the festive mood,” Arul R.B. Krishna IPS, deputy police commissioner (law & order, Traffic) told Deccan Chronicle that the hotel owners have been asked to stick to their deadline of 10pm to stop serving liquor.

“If we find that a particular hotel is serving liquor after the permitted time we will take action including for harboring the accused,” he was quoted as saying.

With the police turning down permission to a number of three star and five star hotels in the city to host New Year parties, all the hotels and venues is set to come under police scanner.

Another report in The New Indian Express states that the hotel owners are now expected to maintain detailed records of the visitors and thoroughly check their identities.

The report further states that the stringent rules have the possibility of dampening the spirits of the public.