'Operation Prahar' | 05 May 2022

Why In News?

Recently, in the report released by the Bihar Police Headquarters, it has been told that under the 'Operation Prahar' being conducted to arrest the violators of the prohibition law along with the accused involved in serious criminal incidents in the state, the police made 8,859 arrests in April.

Key Points

• Under this, the Anti-Liquor Task Force (ALTF) has recovered 1.59 lakh liters of liquor and arrested the people involved in it.
• On the orders of the Police Headquarters, 67 Vajra teams and platoons have been formed at the district level for the arrest of the accused involved in serious criminal incidents.
• Muzaffarpur district with 397 arrests was at the forefront of arrests by ALTF, Saran was second with 298 arrests and Motihari stood third with 294 arrests.
• Significantly, with the aim of making the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act more effective, it has been amended in March 2022, the main provisions of which are as follows-
  
  • Under this amendment, while changing the basic law of 2016, a provision has been made to release it by paying a fine if caught while drinking. However, it shall not be the right of the accused to waive off the payment of the fine.
  • Also, if any person is found to be under the influence of alcohol or intoxicants, he shall be immediately arrested and produced before the nearest Executive Magistrate.
  • If the bulk recovery of liquor takes place from temporary premises which cannot be sealed, such premises may be demolished by order of the Collector.