Vigil on for NY revellers from Daman, Silvassa

Surat: New Year revellers will have to be careful while entering Gujarat from popular watering holes like Dama and Silvassa. The Valsad police have made elaborate arrangements to nab tipplers at various checkposts bordering the union territory of Diu, Daman, Dadara and Nagar Haveli.
More than 1,000 people have been caught every year for the past three years for violating the prohibition law of Gujarat.Despite Covid-19 restrictions, there was no decrease in number of drunk revellers entering Gujarat.
A joint conference of senior police officials of Valsad, Daman, Silvassa, Dang and Maharashtra was organized recently. In the meeting, various issues related to surveillance and checking at borders were discussed. Following the meeting police started combing operations at various locations and strengthened security.
This year Valsad police have set up checkpoints at 35 locations, the majority of which are entry points from Daman and Silvassa. Round-the-clock checking will be done starting Saturday.
A total of 874 police personnel and 736 home guards will deployed to keep vigil on people coming from the union territory. A total of 206 vehicles will be in use including police vans and buses to shift those caught in an inebriate state. Cops will be armed with 52 breath analyzers, said sources.
“Those caught at the check post will be taken to the local health centre for medical examination before being arrested,” said a police officer.
Considering the trend over the past three years, police said that if more people are caught drunk, a community hall has been arranged to detain them.
Daman and Silvassa are popular among visitors during New Year due to parties and events organized in hotels, resorts and beaches. Further, liquor prices in Daman and Silvassa are lower compared to adjoining Maharashtra.