Cops during a vehicle check drive on Friday. Picture by Ashok Sinha

Police have launched intense patrolling and vehicle check drives after dusk on weekends, primarily to curb brawl and rash driving under the influence of liquor — common during wintry evenings.

A rigorous vehicle-checking drive was conducted on Friday as a safety measure weeks before the New Year celebrations. Cops were present at 45 points in the city, including income tax and high court roundabouts, Rajapur Pul, Boring Road, Boring Canal Road Kurji Mor and P&M Mall in Patliputra.

Patna senior superintendent of police Jitender Rana said: “Drunken brawls, snatchings and rash driving under the influence of liquor are common in weekends. Though the police remain active all the time, cops need to be extra vigilant in weekends. Last to last Friday, a businessman was shot and looted at Shastri Nagar. There were other crimes too. The police stations have been asked to remain on high alert on Fridays and Saturdays so that such incidents can be prevented.”

A senior officer said: “We decided to be on toes in weekends after the Shastri Nagar shooting incident two weeks back. Many get two-day leave every week. Several of them intend to have fun in weekends after working hard for five days. The liquor shops witness more crowd than working days. So, the incidents of drunk driving, road rage and accidents tend to increase in weekends.”

A source said the bigger objective of the intensified police action in weekends is to ensure safe Christmas and New Year revelry. The weekend exercise can be seen as a preparation for maintaining law and order during the year-end bashes.

The senior officer said: “Criminals have a gala time in weekends because roads remain busy even after sunset and they indulge in crime. Besides, fog envelopes the city after sunset at this time of the year, making the streets happy hunting ground of criminals. It also causes accidents. Hence, the police have been instructed to hold vigorous vehicle checks in most parts of the city in weekends. The police presence acts as a deterrent for troublemakers. Also, with the New Year approaching, the police should be active now.”

The officer said cops would be deployed at the entry and exit points of the city, important roundabouts, roads in quiet localities, in front of liquor shops, malls, shopping complexes and some restaurants every weekend.

“Mauryalok Complex remains crowded every weekend. Several families visit the place for shopping and munching street food. The police have to constantly be present there,” the officer added.