Dance bars under Excise Dept’s scanner in Bhubaneswar; special squads formed to conduct raids

Amid repeated allegations of dance bars blatantly flouting existing guidelines and engaging bar girls in various illicit activities in Bhubaneswar, the Excise Department has drawn a plan to tighten the norms during the festive season.

The Excise Department has formed three special squads to conduct surprise raids on the bars that are open beyond the scheduled closing time and keep those engaged in illegal activities under its scanner. 

The move has reportedly come just a few days after a bar girl of a bar alleged that its owner had been forcing her to do illicit activities. Taking to OTV on condition of anonymity, a bar girl lamented that bars are opened overnight despite time limits and they are forced to dance till the wee hours.
     

Briefing about the plan, Bikash Nayak, Excise inspector of Bhubaneswar, said, "We have formed three special squads and a task force which would make surprise checking and marathon raids on dance bars. The three teams are already carrying out night patrolling."

Nayak warned that if those bars are suspected of being involved in illegal activities and violating stipulated guidelines governing their operation and time limits, their CCTVs and hard disks will be seized for scrutiny.