Senior police officers in the state will now face the heat if prohibition violations continue unchecked.

For the first time, senior police officers, who were given field assignments to implement prohibition, will be made accountable for lapses on their part in executing the law.

Inspector-general (Patna zone) Nayyar Hasnain Khan said on Thursday that superintendents of police (city and rural), and the sub-divisional police officers (SDPOs) of Patna will be now held responsible for negligence in implementing the ban on sale, manufacture and supply of alcohol under their jurisdictions.

Earlier, only the station house officers (SHOs) were liable for punishment for negligence on this front.

The IG issued a directive after review of the cases lodged under the provisions of the Excise and Prohibition Act, 2016, in Patna on Thursday. During the review, he came to know that a total of 384 FIRs had been lodged and 480 people were arrested in Patna district since the state was declared dry in April 5 this year.

Over 1,700 litres of Indian Made Foreign Liquor and 4,800 litres of country liquor were seized during April to November 2016.

What came as a surprise for the IG was that the City SPs, SP (rural) and SDPOs were not even aware of the status of the cases lodged under the new prohibition law. In addition, no officer bothered to submit any proposal to their seniors recommending speedy trial of the cases against kingpins of the racket.

After the review meeting, the IG told The Telegraph: "I have made it clear that the senior cops will be equally responsible for negligence or connivance. Besides, the officers have been directed to dispose of such cases on a priority basis."?

The IG also directed Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Manu Maharaaj to transfer the personnel right from constable to the SHO if their lapses were found in the implementation of the law.

On Wednesday, the Patna SSP removed the Maner SHO and recommended disciplinary action against him after complaints about brewing and sale of country liquor in some villages falling under his jurisdiction were made to the SSP. IG Khan directed the SSP to transfer all the cops from the Maner police station within 24 hours.

The IG also made it mandatory for every police station in the district to maintain a separate register to entertain the complaints from people about manufacture, sale and transportation of liquor.

"Punitive action will be taken against the SHO for not maintaining the register at his/her police station properly," he said.

The senior cops have been also directed to monitor surprise checks on roads, national highways and public places such as railway stations and bus stands. The surprise checks will be conducted with the assistance of the excise department officials.

The IG fixed the responsibility of the village chaukidars (guards). "The chaukidars will be liable for punishment if they fail to report the local police stations about brewing of country liquor in their respective areas," Khan said.

The IG expressed concern over involvement of some private drivers and special police officers in illegal liquor trade. "The SPs have been told to verify the role of the drivers and the SPOs and take action accordingly," he added.