By P. Chandra Sagaran
For Ipoh OCPD ACP Abang Zainal Abidin Abang Ahmad it was a new experience attending the Deepavali Carnival at Little India on October 30.
In his speech to the crowd, he said, “this is something new to me as in my state Sarawak I do not see such celebrations due to the small Indian population.
“If there is one, it will be on a small scale, meanwhile, police personnel from 28 districts will gather to celebrate, “he added.
“I am happy to see the big crowd and the festive atmosphere, “he added.
Earlier he was welcomed by different drummers and dancers accompanied by police officers and the organising committee.
Abang Zainal Abidin also shook hands with the crowd and obliged to snap pictures with them.
Little India Traders Association adviser Datuk Amaluddin Mohamed Ismail said, “presence of police personnel at the carnival gave an opportunity for the public to interact with the personnel in blue.”
Association President T. Vignes Thillai praised the personnel for their tireless efforts in maintaining peace and order.
“They will be around until any festivities are over although the crowd will disperse after some time,”he added.
The district police chief also presented food boxes which contained raw items to be cooked including chicken, mutton, cooking oil, cabbage on Deepavali Day to 160 families. They also received 5kg of rice packets each. They were donated by several sponsors.
The crowd were entertained to songs and dances on the last day of the carnival which began on October 17 to 30.
A total of 96 stalls were set up selling various items, food, cookies and sweets.