Khar, Bandra ask cops to curb pubs; fear return of dance bars

Residents of Khar and Bandra have written to the regional additional commissioner and zonal deputy commissioner of police complaining about pubs, bars and wine shops operating in the area till late in the night.

Residents of Khar and Bandra have written to the regional additional commissioner and zonal deputy commissioner of police complaining about pubs, bars and wine shops operating in the area till late in the night.

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They fear that the problem will only get aggravated once dance bars restart.

Khar residents said they had complained to the police on July 12 about a pub on Linking Road after the loud music didn't stop till late in the night.

"For the past month, a lot of pubs, bars and even wine shops in the area have been staying open till 3am to 4 am. Last week, we went to the pub with the policemen and personally asked them to shut it down," said Aftab Siddiqui, 33rd Road Khar ALM-144.

In their letter, the residents complained that the constables were reluctant to take any action against the pub, but acted only when a police sub-inspector intervened.

"We are taking the issue seriously and action has been taken against the pub owners. The residents have complained and we are looking into the matter," said Vikas Sonawane, senior inspector, Khar police station.

Despite repeated attempts additional commissioner of police Vishwas Nangre Patil and deputy commissioner of police Cherring Dorje were unavailable for comments.

According to residents, Vasant Dhoble, while working as assistant commissioner in the Social Service Branch of the city police, had shut down many illegal bars, and ensured that others were strictly downing their shutters by 1.30am, which is the prescribed time limit.

Another rising concern for residents of the suburbs is the return of the dance bars, "We have nothing against dance bars opening, but they shouldn't be in residential areas. Pubs and bars are open till early in the morning hours and we are scared of what the situation may be once the dance bars are back to work," said Hina Shroff, member of Residents Association from Vile Parle (West).