Faced with a rising number of complaints on people publicly consuming alcohol and creating a ruckus, Hyderabad city police commissioner, Anjani Kumar, has issued an order seeking to curb the menace.
“Reports have been received indicating that consumption of liquor in public places has become rampant and unhindered in several areas of the city of Hyderabad, resulting in a menace to the common members of the public, especially women and children in particular,” a release by the police sates.
The police also said that reports indicate that the people who indulge in the consumption of liquor behave indecently and ‘exhibit abrasive and unruly behaviour’ on the streets of Hyderabad towards law abiding citizens.
“Such unruly and indecent behaviour has been instilling a sense of fear psychosis in law abiding citizens, especially women and children resulting in restriction of their free movement on the streets of Hyderabad. It is considered necessary to take speedy measures in this regard to prevent danger to human life and safety and security of women and children or for preventing any affray and disturbance of public tranquillity,” the police said.
In a statement, Anjani Kumar said, “Therefore, in excise of the powers conferred upon me under Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code 1973, I do herby make this written order and notify the same to the general public, prohibiting consumption of liquor in public places in the city of Hyderabad.”
The Commissioner said that the order would remain in force for a period of one week until June 9, 2018.
“Any person violating this order shall be liable for punishment under Section 188 of the Indian Penal code and as per the provisions of Hyderabad City Police Act, 1348 Fasli,” the police said.
Besides the menace of public drinking, Hyderabad also faces the issue of drunk driving.
1,699 persons were sent to prison by the Hyderabad Traffic Police in the first four months of the year alone.
The officials filed 9,648 chargesheets and imposed fines amounting to Rs 2.53 crore during the same period. 69 driving licenses were cancelled until April after the owners were caught driving drunk.
Despite steps taken by the officials, the number of cases is steadily on the rise. In 2017, 20,811 chargesheets were filed — an increase of 3,359 chargesheets as compared to 2016.