Mangalore: Just 30 minutes would do, to welcome New Year, and burn the “Ghost of 2011” on the Saturday at midnight (Dec 31)! That is what local police have told today, revelers at midnight of Saturday, to usher in the Leap Year 2012 by bursting crackers, distributing cakes and dancing on streets, only for half-an hour.

Mangalore City Police Commissioner cannot postpone sleep beyond! Am on January 1, 2012. Seemant K.Singh stated on Saturday that all establishments (clubs, hotels, bars, dancing halls etc) that hosted New Year 2012 parties, must pull the shutters down at 12.30 AM past midnight on 01, Jan 2012, so his department could rest well.

But night duty men in uniforms will keep an eye over drunken drivers and noise-makers. Suspected drivers will be tested for alcohol in takes.

The excise department officials will crack a whip on bars and hotels, overstaying the limits openly. Liquor sale is permitted upto midnight only.

If an occasional Licence is brought for Rs.11,500 each, these bars can serve liquor only upto 1.00 AM.

The hoteliers, on the other hand, would rather serve meals to guests by midnight, stop music 30 minutes earlier, and drinks will not be served after 11 PM, they say.