Over 230 liquor, drunk-driving cases booked in Ahmedabad on New Year’s Eve
Ahmedabad: Police in Ahmedabad registered 236 cases related to liquor consumption, possession and drunk driving during a special enforcement drive on New Year’s Eve, leading to the arrest of 246 people, officials said on Wednesday.
According to a police release, the cases were booked under the Gujarat Prohibition Act and Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act, which pertains to driving under the influence of alcohol. The action followed intensive patrolling and checking across the city on the night of December 31, when large crowds gathered to welcome the New Year.
Of those detained, 69 people were arrested for drunk driving, 123 for consuming alcohol and 54 for possessing Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL). Police also seized 107 vehicles after their owners failed to produce valid registration documents or driving licences.
To ensure public safety and prevent any untoward incidents, nearly 9,000 police personnel were deployed across Ahmedabad. The force included senior officers and staff drawn from various units. The deployment comprised five Joint or Additional Commissioners of Police, 16 Deputy Commissioners of Police, 28 Assistant Commissioners of Police, 115 inspectors and 225 sub-inspectors.
In addition, over 5,000 constables and around 3,500 Home Guards were assigned to duties related to patrolling, checking and maintenance of law and order. Special units such as the State Reserve Police Force, She Teams, and Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads were also pressed into service to bolster security arrangements.
Police teams were equipped with 443 breath analysers, 39 speed-gun cameras and 2,560 body-worn cameras to detect drunk driving, monitor overspeeding vehicles and keep a watch on revellers. Surveillance was further strengthened through more than 4,000 CCTV cameras installed across the city, while public address systems were used at several locations to issue advisories and manage crowds.
Officials said the extensive deployment and strict enforcement ensured that New Year’s Eve celebrations passed off peacefully in Ahmedabad, with no major law and order incidents reported despite large gatherings across the city.
(with inputs from agencies)
