43 men arrested, 38 women detained for consuming liquor at party near Ahmedabad in 'dry' Gujarat
Ahmedabad (PTI): Police have arrested 43 men and detained 38 women for allegedly consuming liquor during a party at a villa on the outskirts of Ahmedabad in Gujarat, a dry state, and seized alcohol bottles, hookahs, cars and mobile phones collectively valued at Rs 2.3 crore, officials said on Thursday.
The action against them was taken following a raid conducted at the marriage anniversary party held at the private villa shortly after Wednesday midnight, they said.
Manufacturing, sale and consumption of liquor are prohibited in Gujarat.
A Mumbai-based man organised a party to celebrate his brother-in-law's 25th marriage anniversary at Safal Nirvana Greens near Sanand on the outskirts of Ahmedabad at 12.30 am on Thursday, the police said.
The organiser invited a group of close friends, including men and women, to the villa owned by his friend, they said.
The police took action against a total of 81 persons present at the party.
"While 43 male attendees have been arrested, 38 female attendees were detained and were later released. Notices have been given to these women," Ahmedabad Rural Superintendent of Police (SP) Om Prakash Jat said.
During the raid, police seized material valued at Rs 2.3 crore, including 15 liquor bottles, 10 hookahs, 22 cars, and 74 mobile phones, he said.
Blood samples of all the attendees have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) to determine the presence of alcohol and drugs. If drug consumption is detected in any sample, action will also be taken under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the SP added.
Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Gujarat Prohibition Act, and launched a probe.
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16 labourers dead, several others feared trapped after blast in 'illegal' coal mine in Meghalaya
Shillong (PTI): At least 16 labourers were killed, and several others feared trapped following an explosion at an "illegal" coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district on Thursday, Director General of Police I Nongrang said.
Rescue teams have been engaged in search operations, she said, adding that the incident occurred in the Thangsku area in the morning.
"We have recovered 16 bodies so far. The exact number of labourers present inside the mine at the time of the explosion is yet to be ascertained. More people are feared trapped," she said.
One person who sustained injuries in the blast was initially taken to Sutnga Primary Health Centre before being referred to a Shillong hospital for better treatment, East Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar said.
The explosion is suspected to have occurred during coal mining activities at the site, which is believed to be an illegal operation.
Asked whether the mine was operating illegally, Kumar said, "Yes, it seems like that."
He said the cause of the explosion is yet to be ascertained, and an inquiry will be conducted.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had imposed a ban on rat-hole coal mining and other unscientific mining practices in Meghalaya in 2014, citing environmental damage and safety risks, while also restricting illegal transportation of coal extracted through such methods.
Rat-hole mining involves digging of narrow tunnels, usually 3-4 feet high, for workers to enter and extract coal. The horizontal tunnels are often termed “rat-holes”, as each just about fits one person.
The Supreme Court later upheld the ban and allowed mining only under scientific and regulated procedures with environmental safeguards.
