Rampant drink & drive cases during festive seasons; CM asks DCs, SPs, DTOs to keep strict vigil

Dec. 25: In view of the rampant drink and drive cases & the related casualties, especially during festive seasons, Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma held a video conferencing with Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police, District Transport Officers and Superintendents of Excise of all districts on Friday. The Chief Minister instructed officials to put adequate measures to prevent the drink and drive cases.

Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma further stated that on the night of 31 December, 2021, the Deputy Commissioners should visit district Civil Hospitals and Medical College Hospitals ensure availability of doctors and immediate medical intervention to the victims of road accidents. Further, in case of any exigency, the Joint Directors of Health Services were directed to keep ambulances ready. Moreover, as more and more prefer to go to picnic during this season, the Chief Minister asked the DCs and SPs to deploy police and SDRF personnel at the picnic spots which are adjacent to the rivers so that any cases of drowning may be avoided.

Earlier, the Chief minister stated that anyone caught consuming alcohol and driving on the intervening night of December 31 and January 1 will be detained. The CM further stated that those found to involve in drink and drive on the new year’s eve will not be put behind the bars but would rather be detained for the whole night. Such persons will be allowed to go home only in the morning. Himanta Biswa Sarma further added that even commuters accompanying the drunk driver will be detained as well.

Also instructed officials to
☑️Visit hospitals & ensure availability of doctors to attend to emergency accident cases especially on 31st Dec night
☑️Keep ambulances ready to meet any exigencies
☑️Deploy police & SDRF in picnic spots near rivers to prevent drowning cases

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) December 24, 2021

The CM stated, “Every year, many die due to driving under the influence of alcohol. So I have strictly instructed the police to detain any person driving vehicles under the influence of alcohol on the new year’s eve. Such drivers and other commuters of the vehicle will be our guests for the whole night. People should enjoy the festive season. But this enjoyment should not exceed any accepted parameter.”