Rs 29 lakh collected as fine
SHILLONG: An RTI reply revealed that till April 2016, a whopping amount of Rs 29, 58,000 fines has been realized from people who were caught drinking in public places and creating nuisance under various provisions of Meghalaya Police Act 2010.
In this connection the Sadar Police Station tops the list by arresting 687 person (male-627, female-53 and 7 police and defence personnel ). The RTI reply further revealed that various courts in Shillong have convicted a total of 592 persons.
The Meghalaya Police Act 2010 came into force in 2011 yet there was no proper implementation.
Sadar Police Station implemented it last year in the month of June and other Police Stations followed suit. The people are now feeling safer especially the women folk and the older section of the society who otherwise would not be able to move in Police Bazar area because of the indecent behaviour of people found drinking in the area, one commuter said.
People have supported the police initiative.
Similar efforts if taken by all Police Stations will go a long way in making Shillong a safer place, sources said.
Residents of Keatinge road recall that they were living in fear to move freely in the locality because of the rampant drinking on the road side and open sale of alcohol.
But things have changed now and they are able to sleep peacefully, they said.