Non-bailable cases on manufacture and sale of gutka

Hyderabad, April 01: Already many cities in India has prohibited the consuming of tobacco, On Friday Karimnagar Commissioner of Police, V B Kamalasan Reddy has taken tobacco matter has serious and taken strict action on manufacture and sale of gutka.

It seems that the Commissioner is determined to root out gutka menace under the Commissionerate limits in the district by taking stringent action on those, who involved in manufacture and sale of gutka, by lodging PD Act, along with booking them under non-bailable cases. He is also conducting several awareness programmes to enlighten the people on the ill effects of consuming tobacco-laced products and gutka.

He urged people of all sections to cooperate with the police personnel in curbing manufacturing and selling of gutka in the district. As part of his efforts, a rally was held from circus grounds to Telangana Chowk via Prathima Multiplex under Commissionerate limits in Karimnagar on Friday.

MLA Gangula Kamalakar, District Collector Sarafaraz Ahmed and Commissioner of Police V B Kamalasan Reddy inaugurated the rally. Speaking on the occasion, the Commissioner of Police said 90 per cent of people are suffering from cancer and other such diseases due to gutka and tobacco consumption and of this 41 per cent were dying.

Several steps were taken to curb both production and sale of gutka under the Commissionerate limits by arresting the persons involved and registering cases against them along with creating awareness among people through various programs, he explained.

The Police Commissioner advised the petty shop owners not to sell gutka and tobacco products to avoid problems in future. He warned them that if they involve in production or sale of gutka, PD Act, and non-bailable cases would be filed against them.

As per the orders issued by the Supreme Court on September 23, 2016, the ban was imposed on the manufacture, storage, distribution or sale of gutka and tobacco-laced products marketed separately or packaged, sold or distributed in the country.

The manufacturing and selling of gutka are more common in Sikhwadi and Ganj areas of Karimnagar city. The frequent raids by the police personnel, led by Police Commissioner Kamalasan Reddy, the traders of these areas are now thinking twice before involving in gutka business.