Christmas crackdown: Kandhamal shuts liquor shops in sensitive areas

Berhampur: Kandhamal administration ordered closure of liquor shops in some sensitive areas of the district for two days from Wednesday for maintenance of law and order situation during Christmas, while police conducted flag marches ahead of the festival.Kandhamal collector Bed Bhushan said India-made foreign liquor shops at Barakhama, Tumudibandha, Daringbadi and Bamunigaon in Baliguda subdivision would remain closed on Dec 24 and 25 to maintain peace, and law and order situation.During a peace committee meeting for Christmas, held at Phulbani by the district administration, several representatives of various organisations had urged the administration to declare the entire district “dry” for at least three days during the festival.“We have taken the decision to close the liquor shops in some of the selected and sensitive places to ensure a peaceful and incident-free celebration of Christmas,” said the collector.Meanwhile, the police have launched a special drive to curb open alcohol consumption and other unlawful activities across the district. Motor vehicle checking is being conducted by all police stations.Kandhamal superintendent of police Harish BC said a total of 27 teams, along with 85 officers, have been deployed in the sensitive areas. Patrolling and anti-Maoist operations were intensified in these areas, he added.