FOUR individuals have been issued compounds for violating standard operating procedure (SOP) in conjunction with the Thaipusam celebrations, Perak police chief Mior Faridalathrash Wahid said.

He said the SOP violations were committed at the Sri Subramaniar Temple at Gunung Cheroh, yesterday, when the individuals concerned did not wear a mask and had brought children aged 18 and below during the chariot procession.

“Though all went well during the procession yesterday, there were still some who remained defiant and did not adhere to the SOP set. Those who were compounded were not even participating in the prayer activities or the chariot procession.

“We also received information yesterday that certain parties had tried to perform the kavadi ceremony, which has been banned during the celebration. I have instructed the Ipoh district police chief (ACP Yahaya Hassan) to take stern action on those still defying this rule,” he told a press conference at the Perak contingent police headquarters (IPD) today.

Mior Faridalathrash said 250 officers and members from the Ipoh IPD have been deployed to monitor the Thaipusam celebration from yesterday and the number would be increased as the festival culminates tomorrow. – Bernama, January 17, 2022.