Dibrugarh: A coordination meeting was convened at the Dibrugarh police station, bringing together managers of restaurants, hotels, and bars holding liquor licences to discuss compliance with established regulations governing the sale and service of alcohol in the district.
Meeting Highlights
The meeting was chaired on Thursday by Dibrugarh ASP (Crime) Atul Kumar, who stressed the importance of strict adherence to rules framed under the Assam Liquor Prohibition Act and the Assam Excise Act.
Licence holders were reminded that establishments are permitted to operate between 11 am and 10 pm, and that serving or selling alcohol beyond these hours constitutes a punishable violation. Officials made clear that compliance with permitted operating hours is non-negotiable and that enforcement action would follow any breach.
Legal and Moral Responsibility
“Establishments holding liquor licences have a legal and moral responsibility. Operating within permitted hours and ensuring that alcohol is not served to minors are basic obligations, not optional practices,” Kumar added.
A key area of focus during the meeting was age verification. Under Assam law, selling, serving or supplying liquor to individuals under 21 years of age is strictly prohibited. Managers were directed to put in place robust verification mechanisms at their establishments to prevent minors from being served alcohol, and were warned that failure to do so would attract legal consequences under relevant Acts.
Drink-and-Drive Prevention
Officials also raised the issue of drink-and-drive incidents, urging establishment owners to take proactive steps to ensure the safety of their patrons after they leave the premises.
“Preventing drink-and-drive incidents is a shared responsibility. Establishments that serve alcohol must also take steps to ensure their customers reach home safely,” the ASP said.
The meeting concluded with a clear message that strict enforcement of alcohol laws would continue, and any violations would be met with appropriate legal action.
