Anisha Ajith
With the state Assembly elections around the corner, Bengaluru police is gearing up to improve the security within the city. In connection with this, the Commissioner of Police T Suneel Kumar IPS has released an order prohibiting the sale, distribution or consumption of liquor in the city limits on specific dates ahead of and during elections. This is also done to ensure that parties do not attempt to use liquor to influence voters, as per the guidelines issued by the Election Commission.
The Election Commission of India had announced that the Karnataka Assembly elections will be held on May 12 and that the counting of votes will be held on May 15. The prohibition statement has been released considering the possibility of anti-social elements attempting to take advantage of the situation after consumption of liquor, to indulge in acts of violence and hence disrupt free, fair, peaceful and smooth conduct of the polling process in the city.
The order states that the sale, consumption of liquor, wine, arrack or any other intoxicants are likely to lead to violence and come in the way of smooth functioning of the election procedure. It may further create law and order problems as well in the city.
The order, which was released on April 30 by the Commissioner of Police under the sub-section (1) and (3) of Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, prohibits sale, consumption, procurement and storage of liquor, wine, arrack or any other intoxicant in any wholesale and retail outlets. The order further states that all liquor shops, wine shops, bars, hotels, restaurants, taverns, shops or any other places, whether public or private within Bengaluru city, should remain closed from 5.00 p.m. on May 10 to 12.00 midnight of May 12 and from 6.00 a.m. on May 15 to 12.00 midnight of May 15.