Gurgaon: Cops intensify drive to check drinking in public

The police have started cracking down on those drinking in public places and creating a nuisance. They have arrested over 2,500 people for the offence and registered 2,420 cases this year.

The police have started cracking down on those drinking in public places and creating a nuisance. They have arrested over 2,500 people for the offence and registered 2,420 cases this year.

Despite the drive, there are several areas that see drunken brawls every day. (Shutterstock photo)

Several residents have complained that they find it unsafe to visit markets with children as many groups are often seen drinking in the parking lots.

According to the station house officer of the Udyog Vihar police station, Sube Singh, those caught drinking are booked under the Excise Act and it is the prerogative of the judge to decide the punishment. “We take the offenders under preventive custody for creating public nuisance,” he said. In most cases, the court slaps a fine of Rs 500 and releases the offenders on promise of good conduct.

The Udyog Vihar police registered 179 cases as compared to 132 last year as part of the Gurgaon police’s ongoing drive against drinking in public places.

Despite the drive, there are several areas that see drunken brawls every day. These areas include even New Gurgaon localities such as DLF Central Arcade in DLF City Phase 2, Galleria Market, the Sector 56 Huda market, Palam Vihar, Sushant Lok market and Golf Course Road.

In a recent incident in DLF Phase 2, a few drunken men harassed families and girls in the area after which residents posted pictures of the incident on social networking sites. “There are large numbers of liquor shops in the area and, after 9pm, people start drinking in the open. Women and children find it unsafe to step out,” Nidhi Taneja, a resident of DLF phase 2, said.

ACP (DLF) Ramesh Pal said, “We have deployed teams to ensure that no one drinks in public places. There are many drinking places, including low-budget ahatas, but drinking in markets is wrong.”