Police want 40ft Pappanji at Veli Ground removed; organisers unmoved
The New Indian Express Kochi|December 23, 2024
EVEN AS the Cochin Carnival reaches a feverish pitch, a tense situation continues to prevail at the Veli Ground in Fort Kochi after the police ordered the dismantling of a 40-feet-tall Pappanji, a giant effigy of an old man symbolising the passing year, placed at the venue.
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Kochi

But the organisers seem unmoved for now.

It all started when the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Mattancherry, issued a notice to the organisers, the Gala de Fort Kochi Club, on December 18, directing the latter to dismantle the 'Pappanji' within 24 hours, citing crowd-control measures.

Around 1,000 police personnel have to be deployed at the Parade Ground, the official site of the annual effigy burning on the midnight of December 31, to ensure the safety of thousands of tourists and local residents who gather there to herald the New Year. Hence, the City Police will not be able to deploy its personnel at the Veli Ground, located nearly two kilometres away from the Parade Ground, the notice said.

This story is from the December 23, 2024 edition of The New Indian Express Kochi.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 23, 2024 edition of The New Indian Express Kochi.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS KOCHIView All
The New Indian Express Kochi

Fire at Maha Kumbh after cylinder blast guts 40 tents

A major fire broke out on Sunday in the Mahakumbh area of Prayagraj on Sunday, police said, adding that there was no report of any casualty.

time-read
1 min  |
January 20, 2025
The New Indian Express Kochi

Person from OBC community appointed Ashtapadi singer at Guruvayur temple

ASHTAPADI SONGS when the sanctum is closed for rituals is an ancient tradition still in practice at the Sree Krishna temple in Guruvayur. For several years, it has been the right of certain families in and around Guruvayur to sing Ashtapadi for Lord Krishna. However, the Guruvayur Devaswom has scripted history by appointing a person from an Other Backward Classes (OBC) community to the post.

time-read
1 min  |
January 20, 2025
The New Indian Express Kochi

Portal alleges Hindenburg's link with fund

NATE Anderson, 'activist' short-seller who has announced shutting down his almost eight years old research firm Hindenburg, is under cloud for alleged links with hedge funds in preparing reports targeting companies, a Canadian portal said citing documents filed before a court in Ontario.

time-read
1 min  |
January 20, 2025
The New Indian Express Kochi

Gunfight Breaks Out in Baramulla, First This Year

A gunfight between security forces and terrorists broke out on Sunday in Sopore area of Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district, the first encounter this year.

time-read
1 min  |
January 20, 2025
The New Indian Express Kochi

Govt May Table Waqf Bill During Budget Session After JPC Submits Report

The Centre is likely to introduce the contentious Waqf Amendment Bill during the Budget session, scheduled to begin on January 31 and continue with recesses till April 4.

time-read
1 min  |
January 20, 2025
The New Indian Express Kochi

Global leaders keen on India's growth story: Vaishnaw ahead of Davos visit

UNION Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday highlighted the significant global interest in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's economic policies, which are set to take centre-stage during discussions at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.

time-read
1 min  |
January 20, 2025
The New Indian Express Kochi

Govt set to take full control of SmartCity Kochi

A MONTH after the appointment of a committee to finalise the contours of the withdrawal of Tecom Investments from the joint venture, the Kerala government is set to take over the SmartCity Kochi project in a move that enables the government access to the 246-acre IT park at Kakkanad.

time-read
1 min  |
January 20, 2025
The New Indian Express Kochi

Mysterious illness toll rises to 17, Centre's team reaches Rajouri

A high-level inter-ministerial team formed by Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday visited J&K's Rajouri district where a mysterious illness is wreaking havoc, killing another person in Budhal village and taking the death toll to 17.

time-read
1 min  |
January 20, 2025
The New Indian Express Kochi

FC Goa Secure Narrow Win Over East Bengal FC

FC Goa defeated East Bengal FC by 1-0 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 on Sunday.

time-read
1 min  |
January 20, 2025
The New Indian Express Kochi

Free mobile gift sets back techie ₹2.8 cr

CYBER fraudsters have introduced a new scam, sending unsuspecting victims a free mobile or tablet, claiming it's a gift from a bank.

time-read
1 min  |
January 20, 2025