Hotels in Gulabbagh Become Hubs for Illicit Liquor; Administration Remains Indifferent Despite Repeated Complaints

Hotels in Gulabbagh Become Hubs for Illicit Liquor; Administration Remains Indifferent Despite Repeated Complaints

Purnia. The operation of illicit activities in the hotels located at Sanauli Chowk in Gulabbagh shows no signs of stopping. Two instances of liquor parties being caught in the same hotel within the last 30 days have raised serious questions about the security of the area and the functioning of the Excise Department. Despite Hindustan highlighting this issue prominently in the past, there has been no improvement on the ground. It is evident that due to the administration's laxity, these hotels have become safe havens for liquor consumers.

Repeated Incidents

Sanauli Chowk, a major commercial hub in Purnia, is no stranger to liquor parties being discovered in its hotels. Within the last month, the police and the Excise Department have raided the same premises twice, recovering liquor bottles and detaining several individuals. After the first incident, it was expected that the hotel’s license would be revoked and the owners would face strict action, setting a precedent for other operators. However, amidst legal loopholes, the hotel operators were again found involved in the same activities, which highlights a massive failure of the administration.

The Ground Reality

According to sources, people begin arriving at these hotels as dusk falls. Liquor is arranged illegally in the hotel rooms. In their pursuit of higher profits, the hotel owners disregard the law and provide shelter to such anti-social elements. In a busy area like Sanauli Chowk, where people pass by constantly, such actions are not only damaging the social fabric but also creating an environment of insecurity for local residents.

Why Are Actions Ineffective?

The biggest question in this matter is: why are these hotels not being shut down despite being caught repeatedly?

Suspicion of Collusion: Local residents allege that such illegal businesses cannot operate without the complicity of some corrupt elements tasked with maintaining security in the area.

Token Action: Simply imposing fines on those caught by the Excise Department or filing cases under milder sections only emboldens the criminals.

Lack of License Scrutiny: When a hotel repeatedly violates regulations, the process to cancel its commercial license remains painfully slow.

Public Outrage

There is significant resentment among the local residents regarding this situation. A local shopkeeper, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said, "We do business here. The kind of ruckus that starts outside these hotels as evening falls makes it difficult to step out of the house with family. The police come, go through the motions, and leave, but the same situation arises again after a few days."

Challenges for the Police and Administration

The Purnia administration continues to claim success in enforcing prohibition (Liquor Ban), but incidents like these in areas like Gulabbagh expose the hollowness of such claims. Senior officials state that they are taking this matter seriously and a special team will soon be formed to conduct surprise inspections of all hotels in the area. However, it remains to be seen whether this action will be merely cosmetic or if it will yield concrete results.

Necessary Steps for Improvement

If the administration truly wishes to resolve this problem, the following steps must be taken:

Strict Legal Action: Actions should be taken against repeat-offending hotel owners under the "strictest laws," and their licenses should be permanently revoked.

Regular Inspection of Hotel Registers: The administration should make it mandatory for hotels to record the Aadhaar card details of every guest in their register.

CCTV Surveillance: It should be mandatory for all hotels to have functioning CCTV cameras, with the feed linked directly to the local police station.

Public Participation: A direct helpline number should be provided to citizens so they can report illegal activities without fear.

These incidents at Sanauli Chowk in Gulabbagh are not just a story of the greed of hotel owners; they are a reflection of the administration's lenient approach. If these illegal dens are not dismantled in time, the campaign against liquor in Purnia will become a mockery. This is not just a matter of law and order, but a question of building a healthy society. The administration must ensure that the law is not trampled upon under the guise of hospitality. It remains to be seen whether, following this Hindustan Follow-up, the administration adopts a tough stance, or if these hotels will continue to remain centers of illicit liquor consumption.