Ranchi: In an attempt to create a safe, peaceful and fear-free environment for city dwellers, especially women, children and senior citizens, police detained over 100 people on Saturday for their alleged involvement in anti-social and unruly activities such as public drinking and eve-teasing.In a late-evening drive, police launched a simultaneous crackdown at around 50 sensitive locations across the city against public drinking, hooliganism and suspected criminal activities and detained them.“However, the detainees were released later giving them stern warning not to repeat such activities in future. Police also recorded their name, address and other details. The drive was aimed at keeping Ranchi safe from anti-social elements and such drives will continue,” Ranchi SP Paras Rana said.The operation was carried out across several police station areas, with teams targeting busy commercial hubs, open grounds, isolated stretches and areas surrounding liquor shops. Senior police officers monitored the drive in real time, while DSPs and station house officers led teams on the ground along with armed police personnel.Police teams conducted searches of suspicious persons and checked vehicles at locations including Firayalal Chowk, Albert Ekka Chowk, Main Road, OTC Ground, DIG Ground and Morabadi Maidan. The Smart City area in Dhurwa, deserted stretches along Ring Road, vacant plots and poorly lit roads were also covered during the operation.“Special attention was given to areas around country and foreign liquor shops, including nearby dhabas and street food corners, where public drinking and nuisance have been reported. The drive was aimed at curbing public drinking, eve-teasing, hooliganism and other street-level offences, besides keeping a check on habitual offenders and anti-social elements,” Rana added.Police appealed to residents to report suspicious activities and public disorder by dialling 112 or contacting the nearest police station. Officials said similar drives would continue across the city.The police action has received widespread appreciation from city residents. Prajapati Mishra, a senior citizen, said, “On weekends, several roads in the city, particularly areas around liquor shops, turn into open drinking zones. People from different age groups consume liquor openly and create a nuisance. The police should intensify such crackdowns to deter public drinking and maintain law and order.”
