It's going to be a peaceful V-day

Parties like Shiv Sena and MNS who are notorious for disrupting Valentine's Day celebrations say they'll keep a low profile

Parties like Shiv Sena and MNS who are notorious for disrupting Valentine's Day celebrations say they'll keep a low profile

GETTING TOUGH: Police has been deployed at the Bandra Bandstand to keep couples from venturing towards the rocks during high tide

The recent attacks on women are set to cast a pall of gloom on Valentine Day celebrations in the city with pub owners expressing fear over repercussions from self-declared moral police brigades.

Interestingly, political parties like the Shiv Sena, which have a history of opposing Valentine's Day, will keep a low profile this year.

According to Chetan Pednekar, vice-president, MNS, the party has decided not to protest the day. And former corporator Avinash Pednekar of the Shiv Sena said, "We have no plans as such."

Should we prepare?

Organisers, meanwhile, are in two minds whether to go full throttle for V-Day preparations in view of the economic slowdown as well as the attack on pubs in Mangalore recently or keep low.

Chandrahas Shetty, president of hotel association AHAR, said that members were torn between wanting to celebrate V-day and deciding to play it safe.

"For one, our collections are down because of the slowdown and this is a day to make some profits. But people are scared of their properties being vandalised. That said, none of our members are shying away from work on the day," said Shetty.

Security

To ensure that things proceed smoothly today, mall owners, cinema halls and restaurant chains have approached security agencies for extra cover.

"We're deploying quick response teams, especially to control unruly mobs. We've even been getting requests for armed guards at public places, something that's increased especially since the terror attacks.

We're also deploying lady guards for the day," said Major Sharmishta Roy of the security agency 24 Secure. Another security service provider claimed that apart from discos and pubs, some colleges have also asked for bouncer.