Drive against public drinking affected as cops manage queues

The Delhi government’s special drive against public drinking has been affected as the city police has diverted a part of its work force towards banks and ATMs which are witnessing huge crowd in the aftermath of the demonetisation drive.

A senior government official said the Delhi Police has conveyed the Excise Department its inability to provide adequate numbers of its personnel as they have been diverted towards ATMs and banks for ensuring security.

“In view of this, the drive has been affected in the last few days. Yesterday (Tuesday) as well, it was significantly affected,” the official said.

As part of its drive against public drinking launched on November 7, the Excise Department had arrested 210 persons till Saturday for illegally consuming liquor at public places.

The Delhi Police have deployed 12,000 of its personnel outside ATMs and banks to manage huge crowd gathering there to withdraw money and exchange demonetised notes.

Besides, personnel of paramilitary forces and Rapid Action Force (RAF) have also been deployed outside banks and ATMs. On the first day of the drive, excise department had arrested 36 people for consuming liquor in public places while on second day, 41 were arrested. 

On the third day, 45 persons were arrested. The government has said it will enforce the Excise Act strictly under which consuming alcohol at public 

places attracts a fine of Rs 5,000, which can even go up to Rs 10,000, with a jail term of three months if the offender creates nuisance.