Kozhikode: The revelry in Kozhikode started much before the New Year broke with huge crowds pouring into the south beach to see the last sunset of 2016. The families from neighbouring districts arrived in vehicles to celebrate in the city that is famous for good food.
While some tried the food outlets on the beach, the majority went to the traditional hotels. Security was beefed up and extra police force was deployed in areas where domestic and international tourists were visiting. The entry for the vehicles to the beach was restricted from6 p.m. on Saturday, said special branch assistant commissioner M.P. Premdas.
"Security was beefed on the beach side and at hotels where international tourists are staying. There is already a terrorist threat and extra caution notices were served.
“More police force was deployed in mufti also," said Mr Premdas. More than 25 German tourists were staying in one hotel in the town, which was also given an alert.
Only a few resorts and restaurants threw night parties and the police put no restrictions like 10 p.m. deadline for celebrations unlike in some other cities. "The scope of celebrating New Year in Kozhikode city is limited as the people go to some restaurants or spend time with their own families or friends. Unlike Kochi it is very silent in Kozhikode during the festival season. So I celebrated New Year with my classmates on the college campus enjoying the best food in Kozhikode," said P.C. Arjun, a second-year MBBS student of Government Medical College, Kozhikode.
"I celebrated the New Year with friends at Kozhikode beach," said Fariz Rahman, a city-based engineer.
"Earlier the celebration was limited to some hotels in the city with the family but this year it was indeed a blast with the friends and I got to see so many people celebrating New Year with all joy," he said.
