The East Singhbhum district administration has issued a directive to the assistant commissioner of the excise department, Jamshedpur, Rakesh Kumar to start a sustained campaign against drinking in public to rein in rising crime graph in the city.
Police officials said these drives are working as deterrent to criminal activities as most of them take place mainly because the people are under the influence of alcohol or due to the lack of police presence on the city roads.
As per plans more police will be patrolling the area as a result of a surge in neighbourhood complaints about drinking in the park.
Recently acting on the directive the excise department carried out a night long drive against drinking in public at Jubilee Park, vacant place in front of Sacred Heart Convent, Sir Dorabji Tata Park. Raids were also held at Golmuri food plaza.
The excise officials said that the campaign which would continue till Diwali is over would see first time offenders being fined with Rs 1,000.
The amount of fine would be doubled in case of repetition of offence and if the offender is caught third time it might lead to jail term.The excise department is also planning to procure breath analyser kits with assistance of corporate groups to help in checking if a person is under influence of alcohol while sitting in a public place or walking in a street.
The administration has also directed the excise department to realize fines from parents of underage offenders. The drive was implemented by all the 11 police stations of the city in their respective jurisdictions. Senior police officials informed that such drives would be a routine affair now in a bid to bring down the rate of crimes in the city.
The move in this regard has been taken by police after senior police officials received many complaints from residents demanding to curb the menace at public places. People also said some of the drinkers do mischievous acts and pass lewd remarks on women crossing through there.
“We have conducted raids to sent strong message among the drinkers that consuming alcohol is not allowed in public places and those whoever will be caught have to face legal action,” said assistant commissioner excise, Jamshedpur Rakesh Kumar.
The tiger mobiles have also been directed to launch frequent checking near liquor shops. The cops will lay down checking near different liquor shops across the town continuously.