Director General of Police K S Balasubramaniam has issued a directive to the Police Department to be vigilant against children purchasing liquor from outlets of beverages corporation, licensed bars and toddy shops.
In the circular issued this month, the DGP has stated that instances of sale and delivery of liquor to persons under 18 years of age are rampant.
According to the directive, giving liquor to juveniles is a serious issue that will incite criminal tendencies in the younger generation.
“All the district police chiefs have been ordered to instruct their field officers to keep outlets of beverages corporations, bar and toddy shops under surveillance and to take action for effectively preventing the sale of liquor to persons below 18 years of age,” the directive said.
The services of Janamaithri Police and Student Police Cadets can also be effectively used in creating awareness among the young,” Balasubramanium said in the circular.
Police to Act Tough
K Padmakumar, Kochi Range Inspector General, said police personnel have been deployed in mufti to watch such instances. “Besides, order has been given to shadow police to keep a close watch on beverages corporation, licensed bar and toddy shops. We have informed it at the Janamaithri police meetings and has instructed the officials concerned to alert if any children are spotted near such outlets, K Padmakumar said. However, he added that till now no such incident have been reported.