Dry days declared in Hailakandi for Panchayat election ‘Strict action will be taken for violation of order’: DC Adil Khan

Hailakandi, December 1, 2018:

Dry days have been declared on the day of polling and counting of votes for the upcoming Panchayat election in Hailakandi district.

In an order issued to this effect on Saturday, District Election Officer, Adil Khan said dry days will be enforced in the entire district from 3 pm of December 7 to 3 pm of December 9 in connection with the ensuing Panchayat election, including the day of counting of votes on December 12.

All  bonded warehouses, Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) retail ‘off’ and ‘on’ shops, including clubs ‘on’, hotels ‘on’ and country spirit shops will remain closed during the dry days, the order stated.

The order also prohibits the possession of any intoxicants by any person or group of persons, distribution of spirituous, fermented or intoxicating liquor or other substances of similar nature at a hotel, public eating place, tavern, shop or any other places, public or private, within the polling area during the period of 48 hours ending with the hours fixed for the conclusion of polls.

Moreover, during this period the storage of liquor by individuals will be curtailed coupled with restrictions provided under the relevant provisions of the Assam Excise Act and Rules on the storage of liquor in unlicensed premises will be vigorously enforced.

Khan said that the district administration will take all necessary steps to prohibit sale of liquor in adjoining areas of the concerned polling station to prevent any chances of clandestine movement of liquor from those areas where the restriction has not been in force. “Any violation of the order will be strictly dealt with under Rule 326(a) of the Assam Excise Rules 2016 and Rule 52 of the Assam Excise Act 2000,” Khan stipulated in the order.