Bhubaneswar: Making a mockery of police crackdown, boozing at public spaces continues unabated in the City even as the cops have penalised as many as 10,007 violators in 2017 and 8,693 till October 2018.
Areas like Cuttack Road, Khandagiri, Tamando, Old Town, Jharapada and Bomikhal have become safe haven for people consuming alcohol publicly even though there is a provision of Rs 500 penalty on the violators.
The Commissionerate Police in March 2015 had made it mandatory to for the liquor shop owners to install closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in 30-metre radius of the shops in the twin cities. However, a number of alcohol shops still continue to entertain drunkards near their shops.
Consumption of alcohol on school premises and at playgrounds is still rampant in the state capital emerging as a major concern for residents. Following a series of complaints, police in September had conducted a special drive to check drinking at school premises, which have turn safe havens for tipsy youths after dusk. Police also admitted of receiving several complaints related to drinking in public places through police control room.
“Drinking at public places has indeed become a concern for city residents. Most of the time youths create nuisance in the neighbourhood under the influence of alcohol. Besides, a number of road side dhabas sell liquor till midnight attracting antisocial elements. Police must initiate action against dhabas and hotels selling liquor illegally,” said Durga Charan Nayak, a resident of Bomikhal.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Anup Kumar Sahoo, however, said that the drive against public drinking will be intensified. “We also urge the residents to bring incidents of drinking in public spaces either to the concerned police stations or the police control room,” said Sahoo.
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