In a massive overnight enforcement drive, the Ahmedabad police apprehended a staggering 238 individuals for violating the state's prohibition laws during the New Year celebrations. The crackdown, which ran from 9 pm on December 31 to 6 am on January 1, saw offenders being booked at a rate of nearly one every two minutes.
Night of Intense Vigilance and Arrests
The police operation was meticulously planned to curb illegal activities linked to the dry law. Of the total 238 arrests, 69 were specifically for drunk driving, a major concern during festive nights. Another 123 individuals were held for being found in a publicly inebriated state, while 54 were caught possessing illicit liquor. The figures underscore the scale and relentless pace of the police action through the night, with continuous checks set up across the city.
Pre-New Year Crackdown Yields Major Seizures
This intensive vigil was not limited to New Year's Eve alone. Police officials revealed that checks had been intensified a full week earlier, starting December 24. The dual-purpose operation aimed to dismantle both the local brewing of country liquor and the smuggling of expensive foreign alcohol brands.
The results from this week-long campaign were significant:
- Country Liquor: Police seized 2,315 litres of country liquor, valued at approximately Rs 4.6 lakh. They registered 269 cases and arrested 169 accused. Properties worth Rs 5.7 lakh were also confiscated in connection with these offences.
- Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL): The crackdown on premium alcohol led to 62 cases and 72 arrests. Authorities confiscated a massive 4,819 bottles of IMFL, with an estimated value of Rs 16 lakh. Furthermore, property worth a substantial Rs 80 lakh was impounded during this period up to December 31.
Upscale Areas Emerge as Major Hotspots
Police data from New Year's Eve revealed a telling pattern. The highest concentration of prohibition cases originated from the city's affluent stretches, where late-night parties and gatherings were in full swing. The prime areas identified were SG Road, Sindhu Bhavan Road, and CG Road.
Enforcement teams strategically stationed at these hotspots employed a multi-pronged approach. They utilized breath analysers, leveraged extensive CCTV surveillance, and established numerous check-posts to intercept offenders. The majority of drunk driving arrests and high-value liquor seizures were reported from these upscale neighbourhoods.
To ensure comprehensive coverage, the police deployed substantial resources: 443 breath analysers, over 4,000 CCTV cameras, and 71 specialized 'She Teams' to patrol sensitive areas. Round-the-clock vigilance was maintained through check posts and pickets, while public announcement systems and megaphones were used to manage and control crowds effectively.
